A WIDEMOUTH Bay resident has voiced her concern at the process required to register a death.

While registering the death of her mother, Mrs Jennifer Westaway had difficulty getting a suitable appointment and was told the closest appointment to her would incur over a 40-mile journey.

Mrs Westaway was informed that she had five days in which to register the death of her mother, Mrs Dorothy Ball, who was 102 at the time of her death.

Mrs Westaway was given a number to ring and once through to an operator on Wednesday, June 1, she was informed that the closest registration office to her, with the earliest appointment, would be in Saltash and more than a week after the death on Thursday, June 9.

Although, Mrs Westaway is able to travel up to Saltash in order to register the death she raised concerns over the fact that others, who may be elderly or have a disability, would be unable to, or would find it difficult, to make such a journey.

She told the Post: “I wasn’t aware of the fact that you only have five days in which to register the death of a family member.

“My mother, Mrs Dorothy Ball, was 102 when she died, so knowing I had to register the death I rang up straight away.

“Unfortunately, they told me that the earliest appointment available to me would be the following Thursday and that the earliest appointment at the closest venue for me to register the death would be the offices at Saltash.

“This means that I have to travel up there and back, which I am able to do but I can’t help wonder how others manage who are not as agile.

“I am in my 70s but am still able to get around easily, however, when speaking with the lady on the phone to book an appointment she informed me that there are steep steps leading up to the building, again, I can manage that, but what about someone else who has difficulty walking?”

Mrs Westaway explained that although she herself is able to get to the Saltash Registration Office there are many from the area who would be unable to make the journey, and who shouldn’t have to be concerning themselves with such a journey in a time of grief.

She added: “If you are physically infirm they will come to your house to register the death, however, I don’t want to take that service away from someone else who might really need it.

“I am able to get to Saltash and the offices but the point is I shouldn’t have too, and I feel the system needs to change so that it is easier for people to register a death. Why can this not be done online?”

Mrs Westaway explained that she is fortunate that she has the ability to travel but many would be unable to afford a journey like with expenses like petrol and parking. She hopes to see a change in the system, which will make it easier for people to register the death of a loved one.

She also contacted MP for North Cornwall Scott Mann (Cons) to see if this issue could be highlighted and changed to make registration easier for others.

A spokesman from Mr Mann’s office said: “Scott and his office are working to help Mrs Westaway at this difficult time, and we are glad that she has brought this case to our attention.

“We will be contacting the relevant authorities to highlight Mrs Westaway’s case and will help wherever possible.”

When asked about Mrs Westaway’s experience and whether there was anything that could be done to improve services for those wanting to register a death, a Cornwall Council spokesman said: “We are sorry that Mrs Westaway is unhappy with the service she has received and we are looking into the circumstances surrounding her experience as it appears that there were earlier and closer appointments available. We take all feedback seriously and we will continue to monitor the availability of appointments and add additional sessions where necessary.”

There is currently only a ‘Tell Us Once’ service that allows the public to report a death to most government organisations in one go, according to the GOV website www.gov.uk.

However, when registering a death the registrar will inform the caller as to whether the service is available in their area. If it is, they will provide a phone number and a unique reference number for the public to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service online or by phone.