The patients (or the relative indicated by them) may contact the attending physician in case of any questions regarding the disease and the means of therapy.
Upon admittance to a department, the patients have to name the people entitled to get information (or the ones who cannot receive information). Information may be given via the phone only in exceptional cases, after sufficient identification of the person entitled to get information (authorized person).
A nurse authorized by the attending physician may provide partial information about the condition of the patients, the examinations in progress and the expected waiting times, however, giving complete information falls under the competence of the attending physician.
Patients are immediately given all information, however, the waiting relatives cannot always be informed immediately.