Next of kin is a term used to describe a  persons closest living relative or gardian. In the event of an emergency, the next of kin may be used to provide access or to provide vital information about a person who is injured or in danger.

So, in case of an emergency you need to check if the person has a health care card, the card will have contact details for the next of kin or the personal doctor. The card will also have a health care number that you can use to check for more details in the health care database online.

When a person is checked into a hospital, the heathcare database will automaticaly send a notification to the next of kin, telling him of her about the situation.

Whether the person is sick, injured, or deceased, it is the additional responsibility of the hospital officials and local law enforcement officials to physicaly notify the persons next of kin. 

NB: When talking to the next of kin, its only doctors or medical examiners (coroners) that can declare an a person deceased, and only occupational medical staffs are authorized to discuss the medical condition of a peron in hospital if and when they have first hand knowledge of the same.