Petition · Department of Health and Social Care

Change the law to give next kin access to medical records at the end of life.

Open for signatures 14 signatures

What the petition asks

Change the law to give recognised next of kin full access to medical records when a patient lacks capacity and is receiving end-of-life or palliative care, except where there are domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns.
Families are expected to contribute to best interests decisions but are often denied access to the information needed to advocate effectively. The law should define who qualifies as next of kin and include safeguards where there are domestic abuse or other serious safeguarding concerns. This would improve transparency and help ensure patients' wishes are respected.

Timeline

25 Aug 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 14
Status Open for signatures
Department Department of Health and Social Care
Opened 25 Aug 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Aug 2026.