Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses or suitably trained ambulance clinicians may confirm that death has taken place. The law requires that a qualified doctor (with the GMC) who has seen the patient alive within the last 14 days and knows the cause of death provide the cause of death for the MCCD (Medical Certificate Cause of Death). There is no legal obligation on a doctor to see or examine the deceased before signing an MCCD. This is the case across the UK.