Key points

  • Agree one family decision-maker and make sure the treating doctors know who it is.
  • Get consent in place so information can be shared with you.
  • A single coordinator on the ground saves days of calls across time zones.

Many families have children working abroad and parents in India. When a parent becomes seriously ill, the children overseas often want to be involved in every decision while being thousands of kilometres and several time zones away. This guide covers how to do that well.

Decide who decides

Families sometimes have several siblings in different countries, each speaking to the hospital separately. That confuses the doctors and slows everything down. Agree one person who speaks for the family, and tell the treating team and any coordinator who it is.

Doctors can share information about a patient only with appropriate consent. If your parent is able to, ask them to tell the treating doctor that information may be shared with you. Find out from the hospital whether it needs anything in writing.

Know who is on the ground

Even the best-informed family abroad needs someone physically present. That might be a relative in India, a trusted friend, or an attendant. See a guide for attendants.

Getting a second opinion from abroad

Families overseas often want a second opinion, sometimes from a specialist in a larger city. Records can be shared and a video consultation arranged without the patient travelling first. See getting a second opinion.

Moving a parent to another hospital

If the care a parent needs is in another city, or they would be better cared for near a sibling, a transfer may be possible when doctors judge it safe. The guide on how an air ambulance transfer works explains the steps.

Updates across time zones

Agree a fixed time each day when the family will receive a written update, timed for the people abroad. Ask for anything important to be confirmed in writing, so that everyone receives the same information.

Money and paperwork

Hospitals in India usually ask for a deposit on admission and payment before discharge. Make sure someone in India can make or authorise payments, and keep copies of every bill for insurance. See understanding hospital treatment estimates.

How we help

We act as the family’s coordinator on the ground: one person who knows the case, speaks to the hospital, arranges what is needed and sends the same written update to everyone. See treatment in another Indian city or call the coordination desk, which is staffed 24 hours.