How to protect myself if I fall Ill.

[Hohohole]

My mother is my closest relative and is very into herbal medicine and against modern medicine, she is anti vaccination, believes in dowsing and loads of other mad stuff.

If I ever become ill and can't make decisions for myself, she will be the one to make decisions about my health. I would like my partner (not married) to be the one to do this as I don't share my mother's views.

How can I go about this? Any ideas?

I can just picture her trying to smudge away my illness with white sage.

Power of attorney?

Can that be for purely medical reasons?

Medical power of attorney. About 80 or 90 pounds to register online but may take a couple of months to come through.

I think you need to talk to a lawyer. There’s stuff like power of attorney and nearest relative that may or may not apply.

In the meantime, a few things that aren’t legally binding but might help:

In your passport, list your partner as your next of kin (mine has a page for this, assuming the newer ones do too but apologies if I’m wrong). Do not list your mother. Before DH and I were married, he had an accident and the hospital were willing to speak to me because he had listed me in his passport.

If you have an iPhone, open the Health app and fill in the medical ID section. This can be accessed when your phone is locked. Add some notes about what you’ve said here.

I would definitely talk to a lawyer though.

PS it may be worth asking to have this moved to legal issues.

Does your home insurance (or contents insurance if you rent) include legal expenses cover? If so they’ll likely have a free helpline that you could call for some advice.

As an adult you are allowed to make decisions, about your own health. Unless you lack capacity. It is your choice, if you decide to get Power of Attorney who you appoint as your attorney. An attorney has to act in your best interests, so maybe your partner would be the most sensible choice.
Not sure if you live with your mother, but maybe not share with your mother any illness concerns. From your post, I’m assuming that you’ve not had your childhood vaccinations. You can choose to have some of these vaccinations as an adult, you can get advice from your GP and be able to make an informed choice

I have been vaccinated. I'd only want it if I lacked capacity and I would only want it for medical reasons. But I suppose my will would look after my money if I were to die.

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Legal Matters topic at the OP's request.

You don't need a lawyer at £300+vat per hour.

Go online and do an online LPA for health using the Gov website (watch out for commercial companies trying to con you).

They are really easy to do and cost about £100 unless you receive some benefits which cuts the costs significantly.

I suggest you consider a financial one as well

Just seen PP has recommended POA for health and welfare.

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Might be tricky just now to get signatures witnesses but otherwise straightforward enough. All the best.

Are you worried she wouldn't call a doctor or ambulance?