The Healthcare Institution of North Iceland
Who is your registered next of kin in your medical record?
7th May 2026
In May, an awareness campaign will be launched regarding the registration of next of kin in individuals’ medical records. The aim of the project is to raise awareness of the importance of this information and to encourage people to update their registration as needed.
Why is this important?
The medical records system offers several options for registering next of kin, and individuals can choose how—and whether—their relatives are registered. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of these different types of registrations in the medical record so that information is only disclosed to relatives with the patient’s consent or in accordance with the registration, for example in emergency situations or under other circumstances where a next of kin is permitted to receive information from the medical record.
How and where can I check whether I have a registered next of kin?
Information contained in medical records is health-related information and is classified as sensitive personal data. Strict rules therefore apply under both medical records legislation and data protection laws. It is therefore crucial to safeguard the security of this information and to ensure that the data contained in the medical record is adequately protected and not accessible to unauthorized parties.
To see who—or whether—you have a registered next of kin in your medical record, or to add or amend a next-of-kin registration, you should contact the reception of your local healthcare center, which can provide you with the relevant information.