Thisleafletdescribeswhatanextofkinis, theresponsibilitiesonehas,andthe processofselectingone.
Forsomepeople,whotochooseastheirnextofkinwillbeasimple decisionandforothersitmaybemoredifficult.Ourstaffarehereto helpifyouhaveanyquestions.
Whocanorcan’tbemynextofkin?
Therearenorulesorlegaldefinitionsaboutwhocanorcan’tbeyour nextofkinwhileyouareliving.
Yournextofkinisthepersonor peoplemostimportanttoyou.
Youcannominateyourspouse,a partner,afamilymemberoragood friend.
Weknowforsomepeople,including manypeoplewhoidentify asLGBTQ+,theirnextofkin maybeaclosefriendorsomeone fromtheirchosenfamilyratherthan theirbiologicalfamily.
Whydowewanttoknowaboutyournextofkin?
Weneedtoknowwhoyouwouldlikeustokeepinformedabout yourcareandwhotogetintouchwithifthereisanemergency.
Youmayalsoprovideuswithcontactdetailsforotherpeoplethat youwouldlikeustokeepinformed,suchaschildrenandclose friends.
Wearehappytomeetandsupportwhoeveryougiveuspermission tocontact.Wewillnotdivulgemedicalorpersonalinformationto anyonewithoutyourconsent.
Wesuggestyouinformthepersonyouwishtonominateasyour nextofkin.
Doesanextofkinhavelegalrightsandresponsibilities?
No.Thetermnextofkinisincommonusebutanextofkinhasno legalpowers,rightsorresponsibilities.
Inparticular,yournextofkincannotgiveconsentforprovidingor withholdinganytreatmentorcare.
Ifyouoryourlovedonewouldliketofindoutmoreaboutsetting upPowerofAttorney,youcanfindoutmoreonline: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney www.carersuk.org/media/wo3nrpuf/power-of-attorney.pdf
Or,pleaseasktheStRichard’sstaffsupportingyouformore guidance.
StRichard’sHospice,WildwoodDrive,Worcester,WR52QT 01905763963,enquiries@strichardsorguk
RegisteredCharityNumber:515668CompanyNumber:01850502
