The use of the phrase 'next of kin' should end in health and social care settings as it's widely misunderstood, according to an advocacy group.
Sage Advocacy - which supports vulnerable adults - says the designation of 'next of kin' has no legal standing, and is instead simply somebody who should be contacted in case of an emergency.
A Red C poll commissioned by the organisation indicated that 57% of respondents wrongly understood that if they lacked decision making capacity a ‘next of kin’ could make healthcare decisions for them.
52%, meanwhile, said they believed that the 'next of kin' could make life support decisions for them, while 32% believed they were entitled to access a person’s bank account and assets.
Sage says patients should instead be asked to choose a 'designated person' to be contacted in case of an emergency, as well as with whom information about their conditions should be shared with.
Sage Advocacy Executive Director Mervyn Taylor explained: “During this national public health emergency it is important that the care of patients is not compromised, or the time of healthcare staff wasted, by unnecessary disputes about ‘next of kin’.
“Most of these disputes arise because there is a widespread belief that being a ‘next of kin’ confers decision making authority with regard to healthcare decisions, or control of finances, in the event that a person loses the capacity to make decisions for themselves."
Mr Taylor said the issue has led to "concerns about safeguarding of vulnerable adults, often linked to divisions within families".
