Why power of attorney matters

You never know what’s around the corner. We tend to assume that close relatives will automatically be allowed to make decisions on our behalf if something happens to us, but this isn’t true. Without power of attorney, it is not certain who can take decisions on your behalf. With power of attorney in place, you can be confident that you have taken the necessary steps to make everything as clear as possible. 

That’s why Carer’s Scotland have launched the first UK wide Power of Attorney Day - taking place on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

Power of Attorney (PoA) comes into being when that person is no longer able to look after their financial or personal affairs. The person, or people, who are granted these powers are known as ‘attorneys’. The person giving them the authority is called a ‘granter.’ Attorneys must always act in the granter’s best interest.

Karen Lockhart, Assistant Chief Officer for Adult Services, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) highlighted the importance of having a POA in place, not only to give peace of mind to people and their families, but to avoid issues like unnecessary hospital delays in hospital following an unplanned admission.

Karen said: “Having a PoA in place means you can nominate someone you trust to make the important decisions about your daily living routines, including medical care and treatment as well as alternative care options like moving into a care home or being supported at home. Not many people know that even if you have a next of kin, you still need a PoA to make sure your wishes are followed if you become incapacitated – it doesn’t automatically fall to your next of kin.

“The truth is that families face a long and stressful process if they haven’t arranged a Power of Attorney. You might think it's something you don’t need to bother with because you’re young, fit and have family members, or close friends will be there to do that for you, but that’s not how it works. By law, no one has an automatic right to make decisions on your behalf.

“It’s vitally important to have arrangements like a PoA in place. It means there’s someone you know and trust who is legally, and without complication or delay, authorised to make decisions on your behalf rather than a stranger.”

Setting up a PoA in Scotland is simple with the right planning and legal aid may be available to those on low and modest incomes.

You can find out more about appointing a PoA from:

Public Office of Guardian (Scotland)
Age Scotland has an information leaflet
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has more information on preparing for healthcare including PoA.