4.3.1 Verify the proxy and patient’s identity
Staff must ensure verification of the proxy and patient’s identity to the standards defined in DAPB3051. This prevents impersonation when gathering consent from the patient, or enabling access to digital services for the proxy.
Of the three levels to which staff can verify an identity, only high is appropriate when granting proxy access.
How staff can meet a high identity verification level
Ensure that the proxy or the patient goes through an online or offline identity verification process.
The process must involve physical comparison against suitable evidence. For example, you can compare the person’s face to the photograph on their passport.
Staff can also vouch for someone’s identity if they are known to the organisation and are unable to complete an offline or online identity verification process.
Last edited: 6 May 2026 1:58 pm
Chapters
- DAPB3051 Identity Verification and Authentication Standard for Health and Care, Authorisation Use Case: Proxy
- Glossary
- Use of the terms "must" and "should" in this guidance
- 1.0 Overview
- 1.1 Purpose of this standard
- 1.2 Who this standard applies to
- 1.3 What this standard does not cover
- 1.4 Compatibility with other standards and guidelines
- 2.1 Types of proxy access: formal and informal proxy access
- 2.2 Types of proxy access: Records access by a clinical professional
- 3.0 Roles and responsibilities
- 4.0 Grant proxy access
- 4.1 Assess if access is appropriate
- 4.1.1 Establish whether access is necessary
- 4.1.2 Establish whether access is relevant
- 4.1.3 Establish whether access is safe
- 4.2 Establish a basis for access
- 4.3 Check evidence relevant to the basis for access
- 4.3.1 Verify the proxy and patient’s identity
- 4.3.2 Understand if the patient has the ability to consent
- 4.3.3 Obtain the patient’s informed consent to proxy access, if appropriate
- 4.3.4 Verify evidence of a basis for access if the patient cannot consent
- 4.4 Redact sensitive information based on what is being shared
- 4.5 Audit decisions about proxy access
- 4.6 Communicate the outcome of a decision to grant or deny proxy access
- 5.0 The scope of proxy access
- 6.0 System audit of proxy access
- 7.0 Managing proxy access
- 7.1 Ongoing reviews of proxy access
- 7.2 Age and development based reviews of access
- 7.3 Time-bound reviews of access
- 7.4 Wider events that materially affect proxy access
- Appendix A: Ways to evidence a basis for access if the patient is not capable of providing informed consent
- Appendix B: Driver diagram articulating the strategic aims of this information standard