Provision of Centralised Hotline to Provide Assistance and Guidance to Families whose Loved Ones Passed Away at Home

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Health whether there can be (i) a centralised hotline to provide assistance and guidance to families whose loved ones have passed away at home in the wee hours of the morning when most medical clinics are closed and (ii) an arrangement to bring on board more medical professionals who are able to respond to such cases outside of the normal hours.

Individuals who are diagnosed with advanced illness and passed away at home are usually already under the care of their regular family doctor, home medical or home palliative services. The care providers would usually advise family members to contact them, including outside office hours, for assistance in the event of death.

Individuals may also suddenly or unexpectedly pass away at home from natural causes. Some private general practitioners can conduct house calls for their regular patients to provide certification of their death. Families can also contact private medical providers who provide 24-hour house call services to certify death.