Petition: Give Next of Kin Full Access to Medical Records When a Patient Is Recognised as Being in the Last Month of Life

I call on the UK Government to introduce legislation giving a patient's recognised next of kin the legal right to access their loved one's complete medical records when the patient has been formally recognised by their clinical team as being in the last month of life and no longer has the mental capacity to advocate for themselves.

When someone reaches the end of their life, families are often expected to participate in discussions about care and best interests while being denied access to the information needed to understand what is happening. This leaves many families unable to advocate effectively for their loved one at the most important and vulnerable time.

This petition seeks to change the law so that, once a patient is formally recognised as being in the last month of life and lacks capacity, their recognised next of kin has the legal right to full access to their medical records.

This would enable families to:

• Understand the patient's diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
• Ensure that the patient's previously expressed wishes are respected.
• Fully participate in best interests decision-making.
• Ask informed questions about medications, investigations and treatment decisions.
• Improve transparency and accountability within end-of-life care.
• Advocate effectively when the patient can no longer speak for themselves.

This right would apply only when:

• The patient has been formally recognised by the treating clinical team as being in the last month of life.
• The patient lacks the mental capacity to make decisions about their own care.
• There is no legally valid refusal made by the patient before losing capacity.

No family should have to struggle for information while watching a loved one die. Families deserve transparency, patients deserve effective advocacy and healthcare professionals should have nothing to fear from openness. The law should recognise that, at the end of life, those closest to the patient need access to the full picture to ensure that care reflects the patient's wishes, dignity and best interests.