Our Helpline
The Patients Association Helpline advises thousands of
patients and relatives every year, answering concerns and
queries about health & social care.
Source of Information: Royal Free London, NHS Foundation
Trust https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/advice-andsupport/next-of-kin/
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Next of KIN
 020 8423 8999
 [email protected]
 www.patients-association.org.uk
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Information updates June 2016 – to be Reviewed March 2017
The Patients Association
PO Box 935
Harrow
HA1 3YJ
1BTHE PATIENTS
ASSOCIATION
What does next of kin mean?
The term next of kin means your nearest relative or someone that you
would like to be contacted in an emergency. Asking who your next of
kin is lets people know who is important to you and it allows your
nominated next of kin to be informed about the care provided to you
and decisions about your care that may be taken.
Who can be my next of kin?
Your choice of your next of kin should be someone you feel close to
and does not have to be a blood relative or a spouse. You should ask
the person you have chosen to be your next of kin if they are willing to
do so and if they understand what being next of kin would involve.
What is the role of my next of kin?
When nominating a next of kin you should make sure you have
explained their role to them. Your next of kin should be willing to act
on your behalf in the event that you are unable to communicate due
to illness or being unconscious. The next of kin will be sought for
advice and guidance if you are unable to communicate. In the event
of death your next of kin would be consulted about issues such as
arranging a hospital post mortem or organ/tissue donation. It is
important to note that your next of kin cannot consent for providing or
withholding care.
You should let your friends and family know who you have chosen as
your next of kin, and inform your next of kin if you have a donor card
or wish to donate your organs when you die. You should also discuss
with your next of kin any wishes you may have in the event of a
serious illness.
Does my next of kin have any legal powers?
The term next of kin currently has no legal meaning, therefore when a
person is named or chosen to be next of kin they do not automatically
assume any kind of responsibilities according to the law.
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This means that your next of kin cannot give consent for providing or
withholding care. It’s important to note that your next of kin is not the
same as someone holding Power of Attorney, which is a legal
process whereby someone can be appointed to act on a patient’s
behalf to make decisions about their care and /or their finances.
Your next of kin does not have any legal rights or responsibilities in
the event of death. It is usually expected that your relatives, spouse
or partner would register a person’s death and receive a death
certificate however next of kin could register a death if there is not a
relative available to do it.
How does a hospital know who my next of kin is?
The policy in most NHS Trusts is to ask you to nominate your next of
kin on your admission to hospital. Usually an admission clerk will
check your personal details and ask for information, such as your
next of kin. As well as providing the hospital with the name of your
next of kin, you will need to provide contact information for your
nominated next of kin.
What happens if it’s an emergency and I have not nominated a
next of kin?
If you have not nominated a next of kin, the hospital would usually
seek advice from who they believe to be closest to you and best able
to reflect your wishes.
What is a Next-of-kin card?
If you are unconscious, a next of kin card can be used to prove your
next of kin choice. A next of kin card has the name and contact
details of the person you would like to be contacted in an emergency.
What happens if you don't have next of kin?
Doctors will use their discretion to liaise with families and friends,
however, in the event you have no next of kin or lasting power of
attorney, the doctor would make medical decisions on your behalf.
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