Consent
Age of consent
In UK law, a person's 18th birthday draws the line between childhood and adulthood (Children Act 1989 s105) - so in health care matters, an 18 year old enjoys as much autonomy as any other adult. To a more limited extent, 16 and 17 year-olds can also take medical decisions independently of their parents. The right of younger children to provide independent consent is proportionate to their competence - a child's age alone is clearly an unreliable predictor of his or her competence to make decisions.
Whatever the reason for
your visit in the surgery, we
offer everyone, including
those under 16, a
confidential service in a
safe environment
We have a duty to keep
you safe . Confidentiality
will only be broken in very
EXCEPTIONAL
circumstances