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
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Aug 2026.