Stepdad taking child to hospital appointment. Is it allowed?

[Userno36372627736372]

Not married but with DP since ds was 1, also one child together. Lived together since DS was 3.5. DS is now 13.

DP is more of a father than than his biological father and treats him as his own.

DS has additional needs. 9 times out of 10 I take DS to appointments, either on my own or with DP. He is a very familiar face when it comes to appointments but generally doesn’t take DS alone as he works long hours etc.

anyway, something has come up and DP might need to take Ds to a routine appointment at the hospital which won’t take more than 15 minutes.

will this be okay? It sounds silly. He’s taken him to the dentist before and as well as the doctors recently as I was too I’ll myself to take DS but not sure about the hospital?

It's fine. He just won't be able to give permission for anything. I used to be a nanny and I'd take kids to medical appointments sometimes

Apart from signing for surgery I have never been asked if I'm a parent taking my child to their many medical appointments

Thank you!

Thank you, yes you are right! I’ve never been asked either! But knowing my luck they would that day but most likely not 😂

You could give hie a letter, signed by you, that you authorised him to bring the child to the appointment? It is extremely unlikely that he’ll need it, bit might make you feel calmer!

Thanks all. Usually I would go but there’s lots going on at the mo. We can’t both go as the app is early morning and our youngest needs someone here to get her to school and I need to sort something out that morning now 🫣

Absolutely fine. He just can't consent to treatment that's all. Same as if a grandparent to DC to an appointment.

I think this should be ok at your son's age. Would he be considered competent and capable of making decisions for himself? My husband has taken my oldest son to routine consultant appointments a few times now that he's a teenager and it hasn't been an issue. I think he was 14 when he first did it.

Not a problem at all, anything they need consent for they may have to contact you seperately but usually is fine.

If you're interested you could look into him having a bit more legal involvement, your partner could adopt your son for example (adoption as a stepparent isn't as complicated as adoption of an unrelated child. You don't have to, just a suggestion! x

Seeing that your DP has been present to some of your ds appointments already, i doubt anyone going to ask any questions.

The issue are treatments but even then, as long as you have given your authorisation, your DP would be able to take him anyway.