Medical safeguards introduced following the conviction of Britain’s most notorious serial killer Dr Harold Shipman will be temporarily relaxed as Ministers are handed sweeping new powers to tackle coronavirus.
Under emergency legislation to be put before MPs within days, strict rules around the registration of deaths and cremations will be put on hold to ease the burden on the NHS.
Measures to stop the ‘death management industry’ being overwhelmed will also be drawn up, including using so-called Henry VIII powers to allow the compulsory purchase of land for large burial sites with the flick of a ministerial pen.
The new law, expected to sail through the Commons due to the Government’s 80-seat majority, will allow further emergency provisions to be implemented through statutory instrument – changes to the law that do not require a vote.
The Mail on Sunday understands the grim reality of what Whitehall insiders have dubbed ‘death pits’ have been left from the Bill to avoid public panic.
Boris Johnson in the Cabinet Room in No 10, chairing a Covid-19 meeting with Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty, March 14
The Civil Contingencies Act of 2004 requires previously legislated emergency powers to be renewed every 21 days once they are triggered, but the MoS has learnt this provision may be amended due to the elongated nature of this crisis.
The upcoming legislation, due to be published this week and voted on before Easter recess, will also give the Government the powers to suspend large public gatherings, which Downing Street signalled they could trigger as soon as next weekend.
The move puts key summer events such as Glastonbury, the VE Day commemorations, Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot in doubt.
Boris Johnson had faced criticism for not taking such actions, despite similar steps being taken by other European countries as the pandemic worsens. He insisted he was following scientific advice that such closures would have a limited effect.
Yesterday a Whitehall source denied the Government was U-turning on that advice, saying the change of heart reflected concerns about the pressure mass gatherings put on police and ambulance services that may be depleted because of the virus.
‘We have drafted emergency legislation to give the Government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations,’ the source said. ‘We will publish this legislation next week.’
Boris Johnson in the Cabinet Room in No 10, chairing a Covid-19 meeting with Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty, March 14
Boris Johnson in the Cabinet Room in No 10, chairing a Covid-19 meeting with Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty, March 14
It is expected that the so-called ‘shutdown’ of the UK will be designed to coincide with the UK state school holiday timetable – with schools already due to close on Friday April 3 for two weeks.
Meanwhile the police and armed services will be given the power to ground planes incoming to Britain, stop trains, close motorways and detain suspected virus incubators or sufferers.
While law enforcement will be given greater powers, doctors and healthcare professionals will be freed from red tape as the death toll mounts.
The medical world was rocked when GP Shipman killed more than 200 of his patients, sparking a clampdown on how deaths are registered. Where previously Shipman was able to mask his actions, now following the death of a patient a doctor must issue a medical certificate of cause of death and hand it to next of kin.
If that relative then applies to have the body cremated a second doctor is required to complete an additional certificate confirming the cause of death.
The second doctor must discuss and check the cause of death with the first doctor and the family or carers and note any inconsistencies, before sending both forms to a medical referee. However, these safeguards will be relaxed if the death toll continues to mount. The emergency legislation will allow for just one doctor or medical professional to sign off deaths and cremations.
The emergency laws could be approved without a formal vote amid fears Commons’ crowded voting lobbies could help spread the virus.
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg last week told MPs that Public Health England did not think the division lobbies were a ‘high risk’ and that opening the windows ‘would be beneficial’. However, some MPs are still privately concerned.