Who can go to a hospital appointment with someone, and what can they do?

Who can attend

In most cases, anyone the patient chooses can accompany them to a hospital appointment � a family member, friend, partner, neighbour or anyone else they would like to have with them. The NHS Constitution confirms that patients have the right to have someone with them when they want support.

Some departments � particularly where the room is small � may ask that only one person attends. If this is the case, it is worth checking in advance. A phone call to the clinic or outpatient department before the appointment can avoid any confusion on the day.

There is no requirement to be a family member. If the person you are supporting would like you there, that is enough.

What you can do at an appointment

• Take notes � the person you are supporting may find it hard to take in a lot of information at once
• Ask the clinician to repeat or clarify something that wasn't clear
• Remind them of questions they wanted to ask but forgot
• Give additional context about symptoms or changes you have noticed at home
• Provide emotional support and a reassuring presence
• Help process what was said afterwards � sometimes things only make sense once you talk them through

You are there to support, not to speak for the person. Let them lead the conversation where they can � your role is to fill in gaps, take notes, and be there.

If the clinician asks you to step out

For some parts of an appointment � particularly sensitive examinations or discussions � the clinician may ask the person whether they would like their supporter to step out. This is standard practice, not a sign that anything is wrong. It is there to give the patient space to speak privately if they wish.

If the person you are supporting would like you to stay, they can say so. The decision is theirs.

When the person has difficulty managing appointments alone

If the person you are supporting has memory difficulties, finds it hard to process information quickly, has communication needs, or becomes anxious in medical settings, your presence can make a significant difference to how the appointment goes.

In these cases, it can be helpful to let the clinic know in advance that a supporter will be attending, and why � so the clinician can factor this in to how they structure the conversation.

If the person lacks the capacity to make decisions about their care, there are separate processes for this. Speak to the clinical team if you are unsure.

Preparing before you go

• Check in advance whether there are any restrictions on the number of people attending
• Write down the key concerns or questions beforehand � keep it to three or four at most
• Bring a list of current medications, including doses
• Bring any relevant letters or test results if you have them
• Have a notepad or use the notes app on your phone to write things down during the appointment

Attending by phone or video

Some appointments are offered by phone or video. If you are supporting someone who lives at a distance, or if you cannot attend in person, it is worth asking the clinic whether a supporter can join remotely � by being on speakerphone, for example, or joining a video call.

Not every clinic will be set up for this, but it is always worth asking. Make sure the person you are supporting is comfortable with this before you request it.