Next of kin

[LagoDiComo]

Am sure the wisdom of Mumsnet knows the answer to this one... if you have an accident, are unconscious and someone close to you needs to make medical decisions for you, how is it determined who that person is? And does that person need to be physically present, eg to sign consent type forms?

no one can make a medical decision on behalf of someone else, the doctors will make a decision if it's life threatening and act in your best interests. next of kin can be anyone, partner, friend, parents - it's whoever the person has asked it to be. no one can sign a consent form on behalf of another adult, the doctors will do this in your best interests, I think its called a Consent Form 4. Someone with power of attorney for health and welfare and/or named next of kin or closest family member will hopefully be contacted to be made aware of the situation and asked their opinion of what the patient would want.
the law is different for children, I will try and post a link.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/children/

Thank you!