Declaration of Life Extinct by Registered Nurses and Midwives in the Absence of a Medical Practitioner Policy

Version 2.0 approved 14 February 2023

The Death (Definition) Act 1983 does not prescribe those persons who may pronounce that a person has died. SA Health has determined that registered nurses and midwives can complete the assessment and declare life extinct in the absence of a medical practitioner.

The Declaration of Life Extinct by Registered Nurses and Midwives in the Absence of a Medical Practitioner Policy (PDF 284KB) provides the mandatory requirements for registered nurses and midwives to assess, document and declare life extinct within declared SA Health care sites where a medical practitioner is not available. This ensures timely declaration of life extinct and prompt movement of a deceased person to a mortuary, holding room or funeral home, to minimise delays which can cause distress to the family members of the deceased. 

Applicability

This Policy applies across SA Health, including Department for Health and Wellbeing, Local Health Networks (including state-wide services aligned with these Networks) and SA Ambulance Service.

This Policy applies to registered nurses and midwives where a medical practitioner is not available on site within an SA Health facility, including a hospital, health centre, nursing home, hostel, or at home in the context of palliative care, or voluntary assisted dying.