The Polish Ministry of Health is currently working on a major reform of the law governing medical activities, which will introduce the role of a coroner. This new professional position is intended to handle cases where death occurs outside of medical facilities or at home. The reform aims not only to establish the coroner’s responsibilities but also to streamline existing procedures, clarify the roles of various medical professionals, and implement an electronic death certificate to modernize the process of death declarations.

Under the proposed regulations, the procedures for declaring death are clearly outlined. This includes the necessity to establish the deceased's identity, the time and cause of death, and conducting a physical examination of the body. Different healthcare professionals will have the authority to declare a death based on specific circumstances, including primary care physicians and those providing night and holiday healthcare services. The introduction of coroners, contracted through agreements with local governors, adds an additional layer of oversight and professionalism to the process.

These changes have sparked discussions within the healthcare community and among the public about the implications of having coroners involved in death declarations. The move is seen as a step towards improving the accuracy and efficiency of death justifications. However, it also raises questions regarding the training and resources available for coroners, the potential impact on existing healthcare processes, and how these changes will be received by the general populace, especially in culturally sensitive matters surrounding death and funerary practices.