Table of Contents:
1. Understanding Client Relationship Types
2. How to Add a Client Relationship
3. How to Remove a Client Relationship
4. How to Create Third Parties
This article covers the new Client Card, available to selected clinics from August 2026. If your Client Card looks different, see the Managing Client Relationships (Classic) guide instead.
Relationships in Pabau let you link a client to another person or organisation — such as a GP, pharmacy, parent, partner, or other relevant contact — making it easier to keep records connected and maintain a clear picture of who’s involved in their care.
Understanding Client Relationship Types
The Relationships tab lets you link clients to different types of contacts, such as family members, general practitioners (GPs), pharmacies, or other organisations. Each relationship type serves a specific purpose and can affect how records are shared and managed.
Understanding these types will help you set up relationships accurately and use them effectively.
Relationship Types:
Contact
- Family Member – Parent, sibling, partner, or other family relation who may need access to records or updates regarding the client.
- Emergency Contact – A person to reach in urgent situations. Staff can contact them as needed, but they do not automatically have access to client records.
- Next of Kin – Designated next of kin for medical decisions. Like emergency contacts, they are notified in important situations but do not have default access to records.
Third Party
- Specialist – A consultant or specialist clinician linked to allow secure sharing of medical records or treatment updates when necessary.
- GP – The client’s doctor, linked to allow secure sharing of medical records or treatment updates when necessary.
- Pharmacy – The client’s dispensing pharmacy, which can receive prescription or medication-related information.
- Company – The client’s employer or another relevant organisation involved in the client’s care. Access can be adjusted depending on what the organisation needs to see.
By understanding each relationship type, you can link clients to the right contacts and manage access appropriately. This ensures secure sharing of information and helps maintain accurate client records.
How to Add a Client Relationship
Step 1: Navigate to the Client Card
Log in to your Pabau account and open the client card of the client you want to add a relationship to by using the search bar at the top of the screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Relationships Tab
In the client details panel on the left, click the "Relationships" tab next to Personal to view the client’s linked contacts and connections.
Step 3: Add a Relationship
Click the "Add relationship" button at the bottom of the tab.
Relationship-Specific Steps
In the "Add a relationship" window, choose the type of relationship you want to add. The options are grouped into Contact (Family member, Emergency contact, Next of Kin) and Third party (Specialist, GP, Pharmacy, Company). The steps vary depending on your selection.
Family Member
Search for an existing client by name or email, or click "Add a new client" to create one on the spot. Then select the relation, such as father, mother, sister, brother, wife, or husband (click "Load more" for additional options).
Next, you can configure a few additional settings. Under Billing & Correspondence, mark the contact as the payor if they’ll be responsible for the client’s self-pay invoices and receipts, or as the recipient if they should receive letters or other correspondence on the client’s behalf — an email or postal address is required for either option.
Under Privacy, you can turn on Restrict Sharing so the contact has no access to the client’s record, or grant Portal Access so they can log in via Pabau Connect and view the client’s information (this requires an email address).
Once everything is set, click "Add relationship" to save.
Emergency Contact and Next of Kin
Search for an existing contact by name or email, or choose "Add new client" to create a full client record, or "Add as contact" to save them with just a name, email, and mobile number.
Specialist
Search by name, specialty, treatment, or condition, and filter by location if needed. You can also browse popular specialties or popular conditions and procedures. Once you’ve found the right match, click "Add" to link them to the client. If they aren’t in the directory yet, click "Add specialist" to add them manually.
GP
Choose between the Pabau Network and your Clinic GPs, then search by postcode or name. Select the correct practice from the results and save your selection — you’ll then be asked to choose the GP the client sees at that practice (you can skip this). If the GP isn’t listed, you can add one manually.
Pharmacy
Choose between the Pabau Network and My pharmacies, then search by name or location. Select the correct pharmacy from the results to add it. If it isn’t listed, you can add one manually. The Pabau Network directory is only available in supported countries — if it isn’t supported in your country, that option is greyed out and you can use My pharmacies instead.
Company
Search by name or postcode, then select the correct company. If it isn’t listed, you can add one manually.
NOTE: We suggest reading our Clients article for a more in-depth exploration of this topic.
Once you’ve added the contact or organisation, the relationship is saved to the client’s profile under the Relationships tab.
By following these steps, you can quickly link contacts and organisations to a client’s profile, keeping all relationships organised and easy to access.
How to Remove a Client Relationship
Step 1: Navigate to the Client Card
Log in to your Pabau account and open the client card of the client you want to remove a relationship from by using the search bar at the top of the screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Relationships Tab
In the client details panel on the left, click the "Relationships" tab next to Personal to view the client’s linked contacts and connections.
Step 3: Remove the Relationship
In the "Relationships" tab, you’ll see all contacts linked to the client. To remove a relationship, click the three-dot menu next to the contact and select "Remove relationship". 
A confirmation prompt will appear — click "Remove" to confirm.
The relationship is now removed from the client card. Removing a relationship only unlinks the two records — the contact’s own record is preserved.
By following these steps, you can remove a client’s linked contact, keeping their Relationships tab accurate and up to date.
Step 1: Navigate to Third Parties
Start by logging in to your Pabau account. Click on Setup in the left sidebar menu, then under the "Other" section select "Third Parties".
Step 2: Create a Third Party
Click the "Create Third Party" button in the top-right corner.
In the window that appears, select the type of third party you want to create: Company, Insurance, or Pharmacy.
Then, enter the required information such as the name, provider number (if applicable), contact details, and address.
Once completed, click "Create" to save the third party.
Step 3: Link Third Parties with Clients
To associate a third party such as a pharmacy or company with a client:
- Go to the client’s Client Card.
- Click on the "Relationships" tab next to Personal.
- Click "Add relationship", then select the type of third party you’d like to add (Specialist, GP, Pharmacy, or Company).
- Search for the third party by name or postcode, select it from the results, and confirm to link it to the client. If it isn’t listed, you can add it manually from the same window.
Linking third parties to clients helps you manage workflows more efficiently. For example:
- Send prescriptions directly to the client’s preferred pharmacy.
- Bill an insurance provider or employer on behalf of the client.
By following these steps, you can successfully link and manage third parties in your Pabau account.
Now that you know how to manage client relationships, you can keep profiles organised and ensure the right contacts have access when needed.
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For more guides, browse the related articles below or use the search bar at the top of the page. You can also watch our video learning series, the Pabau Academy, or visit the Support page for additional help.