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uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises critically ill relative transfer • hospital transfer decision • moved to another hospital • ICU transfer family call • urgent hospital decision • asked to consent to transfer • next of kin hospital transfer • health and welfare lpa hospital • welfare power of attorney scotland • mental capacity best interests • transfer due to no beds • specialist centre transfer • inter-hospital transfer UK • receiving hospital details • rapid response hospital call • relative moved overnight • told to decide quickly • hospital says transfer imminent

What to do if…
you are told a critically ill relative may be transferred to another hospital and you must respond quickly

Short answer

Ask to speak to the senior clinician leading the decision and get the key facts written down: where, why, when, and who will take over care. If there is a registered legal decision-maker (for example a health and welfare LPA attorney), say so immediately.

Do not do these things

  • Do not agree or refuse based only on panic, rumours, or a rushed phone call—ask for the specific reason for the transfer and the plan for care during travel and on arrival.
  • Do not assume “next of kin” automatically gives you decision-making authority for an adult patient; it is usually a contact role. Decision-making depends on the person’s capacity and any legal authority—but family views still matter in “best interests”.
  • Do not rely on informal messages passed through staff you haven’t spoken to—ask for the named team making the decision.
  • Do not travel to the new hospital without confirming the exact site, ward/unit, and the best number to call on arrival.
  • Do not have multiple relatives calling the ward separately; pick one point of contact to avoid delays and mixed messages.

What to do now

  1. Get to the right person fast (with a realistic fallback). Ask to speak to the consultant/senior doctor responsible, or if they’re not immediately available, the duty registrar/senior clinician and the nurse in charge. Say: “I need the transfer decision details and the plan—please talk me through it.”
  2. Write down the four essentials (don’t rely on memory):
    • Destination: hospital name + exact site + unit/ward.
    • Reason: specialist treatment vs capacity/bed pressures vs equipment/staffing issue.
    • Timing: expected departure window and what might change it.
    • Clinical handover: who is accepting them (team/unit) and how continuity will work.
  3. Clarify what you are being asked to decide (often it’s not what it feels like). Ask: “Are you asking for consent from the patient / legal decision-maker, or informing family of a clinical transfer decision?”
    • If your relative can decide and communicate, ask staff to speak to them directly.
    • If they cannot, ask what process they are using for a best-interests decision and who they are consulting.
  4. State legal authority clearly, if it exists (and when it applies).
    • England & Wales: If there is a registered Health and Welfare LPA, the attorney generally makes relevant decisions only if the person lacks capacity for that decision. Say: “I am the Health & Welfare attorney. I can send a copy of the registered LPA now.”
    • Scotland / Northern Ireland: Ask if there is a welfare power of attorney / guardian arrangement and how to provide it.
    • If there is an Advance Decision/Directive about treatment, tell the team—this can affect what can be consented to or refused.
  5. Ask for a ‘transfer briefing’ you can repeat back. Keep it tight:
    • “What are the risks of staying vs moving?”
    • “What monitoring/escorts will be with them during transfer?”
    • “What treatment will continue during the move?”
    • “What will happen immediately on arrival?”
    • “Who should I call for an update during and after the move?”
  6. Get the receiving contact details before anything moves. Ask for:
    • the receiving unit’s phone number (or hospital switchboard instructions),
    • confirmation the receiving unit has accepted the patient and is ready,
    • when you should expect the first update after arrival.
  7. If communication is breaking down, escalate via the right route for the time of day.
    • Ask for PALS (if available right now) to help obtain clear information and coordinate responses.
    • If it’s out of hours or PALS isn’t available, ask who the hospital’s on-call site manager / duty manager / senior nurse is and request a call-back time.
  8. Protect the practical essentials (prevents later chaos).
    • Ask what happens to personal belongings (who packs, what can travel with them, what must be collected).
    • Note key identifiers you have (for example NHS number if known) and any critical facts you know (allergies, major conditions) so you can relay them if needed.
  9. Keep one calm channel. Choose one person to speak to staff and one person to update family. If you’re not that person, support with transport, childcare, chargers, and a written notes list.
  10. If the wrong person is being consulted, say so plainly. Tell staff who the correct contact/attorney/decision-maker is and how to reach them now—don’t assume they can find them in time.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today who was “at fault,” whether to complain, or what the long-term plan is.
  • You do not need to organise full travel logistics until you have the confirmed receiving site and unit.
  • You do not need to contact every relative immediately—first get accurate facts, then update.
  • You do not need to understand every medical detail right now; focus on the transfer plan, safety, and who is responsible at each step.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel pressured and powerless when a transfer is mentioned, especially when someone is critically ill. Wanting clear answers—where they’re going, why, and who will care for them—and writing it down is a practical way to reduce the chance of mistakes.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the first urgent hour. Later (once the situation is stable), you may want fuller discussions about prognosis, visiting arrangements, and formal complaints or second opinions.

Important note

This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Hospital transfer processes and decision-making steps can vary across the UK and by situation. If you are unsure who can decide or receive updates, ask the clinical team to explain what applies in your hospital and to document the plan and key contacts in the notes.

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