Designation of 16 year olds as adults

[Lavenhamluvvie]

I discovered something quite recently which I think merits a Mumsnet airing. As and when our children reach 16 the NHS regards them as adults. The result is that we as parents have no right to attend GP consultations with our child without the child's consent. I'm aware that this is probably justfied in some situations, the most obvious being a daughter seeking advice on contraception etc. But what about a 16 year old daughter who may have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia. Without her consent, her parents cannot be party to her discussions with her GP or to vital information such as blood tests. With these type of illnesses being caused by mental issues, how can a 16 year old rationally consider whether or not to included her concerned parents in her treatment? I hoppe that I am wrong and no doubt I will be told if I am; but a dear friend is in this very situation herself and is finding the whole system very frustrating. The ironic thing is that private health will continue for her children until they are 18 but presumably the same rules of confidentiality would apply to any health treatment as I imagine the NHS guidelines will take priority.

[activate]

A 16 year old is old enough to fight for their country. Just because you want to keep control doesn't mean you shold be allowed to.

Admittedly they can't vote, nor marry without consent (well not in England anyway)

I think patient confidentiality is important and yes I think 16 is old enough to make these decisions for yourself. although we seem to keep our children younger and younger these days

[Peachy]

As a 16 year old can legally be married (with consent) havesex and therefore be a parent, I think 16 is appropriate.

Capacity is taken into account though, and I think that can applly wrt eating disorders etc.

I haveadswith ed in fact although not yet 16, and whilst I would be worried,i think it makes overall sense as an age otherwise you get massive issues wrt privacy etc. And indeed for 16 / 17 yr olds not in the family home.

[activate]

Came back to say that an eating disorder can be judged as a psychological disorder and a guardian can be involved at the discretion of the medical professionals but I see that someone has got there first

[frakkinaround]

I think it's perfectly justified BUT would also suggest that anyone finding themselves in the position where they feel their DC is not capable of making decisions by themselves that they investigate some form of assessment for their DC. If a qualified professional rules that the DC is capable then the parent should butt out, but I can see that there's a posibility that they might not be.

What changes magically when you get to 18 anyway? Your brain isn't fully developed until your mid-twenties.

[saggarmakersbottomknocker]

As far as medical issues are concerned the NHS considers children able to make their own decisions (or have a major role in the decision making process) at alot younger than 16. My dd has countersigned her consent forms for surgery (3 times now) since she was 12. For at least two of those, had she refused consent they would have been unlikely to do the surgery.

It's very difficult but unless the person is seriously mentally incapacitated either by illness or learning disabled then at 16 they should be able to make their own decisions.

[nellie12]

at 16 you can leave home, get a job, pay tax, have sex, get married and be legally responsible for children.(your own)

I think it would be detrimental to a lot of 16yo if they have to have parental consent for medical treatment.

I understand the problems your friends are having but they will have the same problems and feel similarly frustrated whatever the age of their adult child - especially inthe field of mental health. Not necessarily because of the quality of the services but due to the nature of the illness.

[Jimmychasesducks]

tbh I didn't find it difficult when ds was 16, I still went with him as support to any appointments, but it gave him a chance to be grown up and talk and decide things himself.
there has to be a cut off point at some time.