The legal status of a patient’s partner in Polish medical law

Abstract

The legal status of a patient’s partner in Polish medical law is determined by entitle- ments granted to “real guardian” and to “close person”. The items are not unambigu- ously defined in art. 3, section 2, points 1 and 2, of the Patient’s Rights and Patient’s Rights Ombudsman Act. In the author’s opinion based on the act, the patient’s partner might be recognized as the guardian and/or close person. The guardian’s rights are limited to express a substitute permission for basic examination, whereas the close per- son has the right to decide on medical intervention if the situation requires. The access to medical records is restricted only to the people authorized by the patient.