Dr Jason Shannon - Lead Medical Examiner for Wales

From 2006 to 2011, he served as Clinical Director for Pathology and Assistant Medical Director. As Clinical Lead for Cwm Taf Health Board, he was responsible for overseeing the Mortality Review process - work that led to his appointment as National Clinical Lead for Mortality Review in Wales. 

In this national role, he was instrumental in developing a unified All Wales Mortality Review Process.

In August 2019, Dr Shannon was appointed Lead Medical Examiner for Wales, assuming professional responsibility for the Welsh Medical Examiner Service, hosted by NHS Wales Shared Services.

He is a member of the Royal College of Pathologists' Medical Examiner Training Faculty, providing training to Medical Examiners across England and Wales. His expertise has also been reflected in his contribution to a key publication on the Medical Examiner Service, authored by Payne-James and Lishman.

Session Spotlight:  Implementing a National Medical Examiner System - Reflections from Wales

Dr. Jason Shannon will be speaking to members about the implementation and evolution of the medical examiner system in Wales, following its full rollout in September last year. His reflections will focus on the significant shift brought about by extending the system’s remit beyond hospital deaths to include community deaths and how this broader scope is shaping the overall approach to death certification across the country.

Dr. Shannon will also discuss collaboration across borders and professions, including how medical examiners in Wales are working alongside colleagues in England, GPs, Registrars, and other key stakeholders in the certification process. He will share insights into the challenges that have arisen, particularly delays in some areas, and the ongoing efforts to address these, as Wales continues to build towards the cohesive and effective system originally envisioned.