Diagnosis of Death

Whatever field of clinical medicine they practice and wherever in the world they work, doctors deal with death. 

The UK Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has, for over 50 years, published authoritative national guidance on the diagnosis and confirmation of death. 

In 2025, this Code of Practice for the Diagnosis and Confirmation of Death was updated for the first time since 2008.

The Code covers diagnosis and confirmation of death in all clinical settings, using all three of the defined sets of criteria (somatic, circulatory, and neurological) in all ages of patients, including paediatric populations

Errors in the diagnosis of death still occur. Controversy and media interest always surrounds such errors. It is therefore important that all doctors and other clinicians who may be asked to confirm death are familiar with the updated criteria, as outlined in the Code, and can ensure that every death of a person under their care is confirmed in an accurate, standardised, timely and respectful manner. 

 This Webinar will aim to provide:

•  an appreciation that there is only one definition of death, based upon cessation of brainstem function, but three sets of diagnostic criteria: somatic, circulatory and neurological.
• Professional judgement and clinical circumstances which will guide which criteria are the most appropriate to use. 
• An understanding of who may diagnose and confirm death using each of the three criteria.
• Diagnostic confidence in the confirmation of death and communication with families

This Evening Webinar will be of interest to all primary and secondary care professionals – you might think you know all there is to know about the diagnosis of death; please consider joining us to find out if you do!

Organising Committee:

Professor Andrew Elder
Dr Dale Gardiner, Nottingham