I have been thinking, mostly due to some recent posts, that there are challenges around who can be involved in healthcare decisions. It will depend quite a bit on jurisdiction and if any formal documents are in place.
I am my friend’s emergency contact for all healthcare related issues. She has recorded this at our local hospital and her doctors’ offices. Her daughter who lives in town is her closest next of kin, but is not capable of acting in an emergency. My friend does not have a POA. In case of an emergency I am the person who makes medical decisions on her behalf.
I am both my Mum’s next of Kin, and springing Healthcare Representative. Additionally I am her emergency contact registered at our local hospital and our doctors office. Mum recently had surgery, it was successful and there have been no complications. If there had been I could have made decisions on Mum’s behalf as Next of Kin and Emergency contact without producing the Heathcare Representative documents.
My son is my emergency contact and Next of Kin registered at my local hospital and doctors office. My brother and sister in law are my Healthcare Representatives. If I have a medical emergency, my son can act for me, he can also call my HRs and ask them to step up. Springing the HR document.
What is your situation?
There are people from all over the world on this site and different rules may apply in different jurisdictions.