What is a trusted health person?
Verified 28 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The role of a trusted health care provider is different depending on your state of health and the medical context in which you find yourself. If you are able to express your will, this person can accompany you in your medical procedures. Otherwise, she is consulted on the care envisaged. As soon as you are of age, you can appoint a trusted person. Peculiarities exist if you are under guardianship.
You're a major
If you wish, the trusted person can perform the following tasks:
- Assist you in your medical procedures
- Assist you during medical interviews.
The goal is to help you make decisions about your health, to know and understand your rights.
In the event that your state of health no longer allows you to give your opinion or to make your decisions, the doctor (or the medical team) consults as a priority the trusted person who must be able to report to him of your wishes.
His testimony takes precedence over any other testimony.
The advance directives may also be entrusted to it.
FYI
The trusted person should not be confused with the person to be warned, which is alerted by telephone in the event of an emergency or the occurrence of an unexpected event. It can be the same person or 2 different people
You can make that designation at any time, including in the absence of a health problem.
If you are hospitalized, the healthcare facility will suggest that you appoint a trusted person.
FYI
From the age of 18, your health insurance fund periodically informs you of the possibility of appointing a trusted person.
This designation shall be made in writing and is co-signed by the designated person. One template is available.
At the time of your admission or hospitalization, forms you are often given for this purpose.
FYI
The document making this designation shall be integrated in particular within My health space.
The appointment of a trusted person is valid without any time limit.
However, you and the person you trust can set a time limit.
Anyone you trust (parent, family member, treating physician) who agrees to play this role may be designated trusted person.
For example, a person who is not part of your family can be designated as a trusted person.
Yes, the designation of the trusted person is reviewable and revocable at any time. It has to be reported in writing.
Inform the former trusted person, destroy the documents designating him/her and inform the people you had previously informed.
You are under guardianship
If you are under guardianship, you can only appoint a trusted personwith permission of the judge or the family council if it has been constituted.
Whether the trusted person has been designated before the implementation of the guardianship measure, the family council or the judge may confirm the appointment of that person or cancel it.
FYI
The trusted person should not be confused with the person to be warned, which is alerted by telephone in the event of an emergency or the occurrence of an unexpected event. It can be the same person or 2 different people
If you wish, the trusted person can perform the following tasks:
- Assist you in your medical procedures
- Assist you during medical interviews.
The goal is to help you make decisions about your health, to know and understand your rights.
In the event that your state of health no longer allows you to give your opinion or to make your decisions, the doctor (or the medical team) consults as a priority the trusted person who must be able to report to him of your wishes.
His testimony takes precedence over any other testimony.
The advance directives may also be entrusted to it.
FYI
The trusted person should not be confused with the person to be warned, which is alerted by telephone in the event of an emergency or the occurrence of an unexpected event. It can be the same person or 2 different people
You can make that designation at any time.
However, this designation requires the authorization of the judge or family council if it has been constituted.
Who shall I contact
If you are hospitalized, the healthcare facility will suggest that you appoint a trusted person.
This designation shall be made in writing and is co-signed by the designated person. One template is available.
This designation may also be made on free paper.
At the time of your admission or hospitalization, forms which will be given to you for this purpose.
However, this designation requires the authorization of the judge or family council if it has been constituted.
Who shall I contact
FYI
The document making this designation shall be integrated in particular within My health space.
The appointment of a trusted person is valid without any time limit.
However, you and the person you trust can set a time limit.
Anyone you trust (parent, family member, treating physician) who agrees to play this role may be designated trusted person.
For example, a person who is not part of your family can be designated as a trusted person.
Yes, the designation of the trusted person is reviewable and revocable at any time. It has to be reported in writing.
Inform the former trusted person, destroy the documents designating him/her and inform the people you had previously informed.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Health Info Rights
Telephone line created by a collective of user associations to provide legal or social information related to health
By phone
01 53 62 40 30
Price of a normal communication
Open service:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm to 6pm
- Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm to 8pm.
By email
https://www.france-assos-sante.org/sante-info-droits/
The maximum response time by email is 15 days.
Information leaflet on the designation of the trusted person
Modèle de document
Service Public
France Assos Health