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The nearest relative is a designated relationship defined in the legislation of England and Wales through the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007.〔 〕 It is the duty of the Approved mental health professional to determine who is the ''nearest relative'' of the patient and consult them in the process of assessment, treatment or guardianship.〔 ==Definition== In Section 26 of the Act, there is a specific hierarchy of kinship relations with the patient or in the context of the type and length of joint residency, as well as caring relationships which is used to determine the nearest relative.〔 The hierarchy is the first person over 18, although a spouse may be younger, in the following list: husband or wife or civil partner; son or daughter; father or mother; brother or sister; grandparent; grandchild; uncle or aunt; < nephew or niece.〔 The eldest is given precedence in any instance.〔 Relatives of half blood are treated the same as those of whole blood and an illegitimate child as the legitimate child of his mother, or his father, provided he has defined parental responsibility.〔 Under Section 26(6), partners who have been living together for over 6 months, as husband or wife, or civil partner, are considered the 'nearest relative'.〔 Section 26(7) says that someone who has 'ordinarily' resided with the patient for over 5 years is designated as the 'nearest relative'.〔 S26(4) states that, if someone resides with one or more relatives who cares for them, then that relative is usually given preference over others, being designated 'nearest relative', presiding over the above hierarchy.〔 Under Section 26(5), a person who is ordinarily residing outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man cannot be considered the 'nearest relative' of a person ordinarily resident within the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Instead, in that case "the nearest relative of the patient shall be ascertained as if that person were dead",〔(Mental Health Act 1983, Section 26 )〕 implying that this can hinder British nationals living abroad from having any say on the care of parents living in Britain, for example. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Nearest relative」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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