Parent's Right?

[enilorac89]

If a child of 17 goes to a doctor/psychologist, do the patient's parents have the right to demand to know what was said???

[devilwoman]

a 17 year old is classed as an adult but either way a 14 year old could go see the doctor and it would be in confidence, the doctor could try to persuade them to tell parents but if they refused he could'nt do anything about it cos its patient confidentialliy, so no parents dont have to know whats said in the surgery.

[enilorac89]

Ah right, thanks for that. Yay!

[devilwoman]

enilorac89 you sound happy there, just want to say i'm not endorsing anything here, i always say to young people if they need help and advice or they;re in trouble always speak to an adult you can trust hopefully their mum who should be the first port of call, remember your mum is your best friend :0)

[enilorac89]

Lol, it's not about me. But the person it is about, her mam is a little on the insane side. Reading her mail and stuff. Believe me, she's not the kind of person you can trust. But yeah, i'll let her know. But her mother is DEFINATELY not her best friend!!

[SaxyJag]

I think what Devilwoman means is that, at 17, if the child asked the doctor not to tell his/her parents anything, then the doctor would have to respect that, although he would encourage the young person to tell them him/herself.

The doctor would probably be allowed to tell other professionals (nurses, teachers, social workers etc.), but would only be allowed to divulge information directly relevant to the case, and only when in the best interests of the patient.

[enilorac89]

Is the only way a doctor would tell, if the patient's life was being threatened by what's being done?

[undercovers]

http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/06/92/54/040 69254.pdf

see the confidentiality info - but in a nutshell a young person of 16 or 17 is deemed capable of consenting to medical treatment or councilling without parental consent, and thus confidentiality will be maintained e.g. they will not tell anyone anything that could identify the patient. However if the young patient is refusing treatment that is deemed life saving the doctors etc can inform parents and the courts to insist that treatment takes place (court can force treatment on a young person through the powers of making the patient a ward of court). This leads to an interesting situation in which a 16 or 17 years old can consent to medical treatment BUT they are not entirely free to refuse treatment.

[enilorac89]

:S Hmm....Ok so, thank you all very much. Ye've been a great help. I can only hope she takes the treatment... :(