The right to an accompanying person

All patients have the right to be accompanied by a third party, for support and guidance in the procedures and decisions relating to their health. This person is called the patient’s ‘accompanying person’. It may be a family member, close friend, healthcare professional or any other person of the patient’s choice.

Accompanying persons have no rights of their own whilst assisting a patient. Depending on what the patient wants, the accompanying person may or may not be involved in the discussion of their treatment options.

Role

The role of the patient’s accompanying person is to support the patient and assist them, as far as the patient wishes, in the procedures and decisions relating to their health. They can provide advice and support to the patient, but it is up to the patient themselves to make decisions.

The role of an accompanying person may involve providing advice to a loved one, helping them by translating where necessary, helping them to get around, etc.

The patient’s accompanying person must not be confused with their person of trust.

Professional secrecy

If the patient agrees, the duty of professional secrecy (on the part of the healthcare professional) is waived when it comes to disclosing information in the presence of the accompanying person.

At any time, however, the healthcare professional may ask the accompanying person to leave in order to speak to the patient in private.

Appointment

There are no specific procedures that the patient being accompanied must complete. The healthcare professional will record the accompanying person’s identity in the patient file.

Accompanying persons may not access the patient file if the patient is not present, unless they have specific written authorisation.