Who knows about emergency contacts vs NoK and what it really means?

[ODmenow2021]

Anyone know what this might mean in healthcare situation? Possibly in an emergency situation?

If you fell at work and were hospitalised who would you rather be advised?
The person you live with, or a parent perhaps hundreds of miles away?

Emergency contacts are who they would contact if the person has named them, this could be anyone, a friend etc named by the patient. Next of kin tends to be closest relative. But in the U.K. next of kin can’t actually consent etc to healthcare or treatment like you see on the TV in the US, it’s more to inform them/them to agree/be on the same page as the doctors acting in best interest if the person can’t consent.

@IsleofRum

If you fell at work and were hospitalised who would you rather be advised? The person you live with, or a parent perhaps hundreds of miles away?

Thanks.

Could it be nether if these people ? How does it work for single parents?

@FriendshipHelp

Emergency contacts are who they would contact if the person has named them, this could be anyone, a friend etc named by the patient. Next of kin tends to be closest relative. But in the U.K. next of kin can’t actually consent etc to healthcare or treatment like you see on the TV in the US, it’s more to inform them/them to agree/be on the same page as the doctors acting in best interest if the person can’t consent.

Thanks this is helpful.

Emergency contact can be anyone. Ie For a schoolchild it might be someone who could collect quickly and be with them until a parent could get there from work. NOK is a relation/partner.

For single parents: any helpful relative living within a useful distance; a friend

They’re essentially the same. NOK doesn’t have to be a relative - in the context of healthcare the NOK is the person the patient designates as the point of contact in the outside world. For single people with no family it’s often a friend. Occasionally it’s even a solicitor.

Official next of kin, there is a list order. As previously said they can't consent to treatment, just act as advocate. The exception to this is in mental health sectioning. They have far greater impact than in physical health.

Emergency contact is anyone you want it to be.

For a single parent who has no family nearby or certainly close family then a best friend.

DH worked from home near the school and was emergency contact for friends dc. Just very short term till the people important to the child could get there.

@WhateverIdo

Official next of kin, there is a list order. As previously said they can't consent to treatment, just act as advocate. The exception to this is in mental health sectioning. They have far greater impact than in physical health.

Emergency contact is anyone you want it to be.

Thanks. How is the Contact different in MH issues eg sectioning ?

It's referred to as nearest relative and if you visit the mind site there's a list....

I copied this from there too...
What rights does my nearest relative have?
Under the Mental Health Act, your nearest relative can:

apply to section you or place you under a guardianship
object to you being sectioned or placed under a guardianship
discharge you if you are sectioned and apply to the Mental Health Tribunal if this is refused
ask for an independent advocate to give you support
be consulted and/or given information about you if you are sectioned
appoint someone else to be your nearest relative.

Thank you @WhateverIdo

It's my understanding that emergency contacts are just that, emergency contacts if something happens to you.
NOK is your nominated person that would have information shared with you, I. E. If you were in hospital, they should only share information about your stay with your NOK.
If you do not have a will, your NOK automatically becomes executor of your estate.

I think the phrases nok and emergency contact aren't always used correctly.

I've been asked for nok at an outpatient appt at a private hospital. I suspect they mean emergency contact though completely unnecessary for the situation.