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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think school should tell me that they are testing DS school year for Chlamydia?

67 replies

cathykate · 13/02/2019 20:13

DS has just come come and told me that his year is getting tested for chlamydia, most have it already done but his class is the last and going to have it after half term. WTF??
his is the first I have heard of this? no email or letter from the school..and because of this I am really annoyed.
While I agree that awareness of STD's should be promoted by schools, I can't believe they can go ahead and test body fluids without parental consent?? ( year 11 which is 15 and 16 year olds)
I have no problem with the test but with them NOT letting us know it was happening. We have to sign consent forms for the school left right and centre, but this is something I would have actually wanted to have been asked about and GIVEN my consent for?
AIBU

OP posts:
Trills · 13/02/2019 20:15

It sounds like something that 15 year olds are mature enough to give informed consent for themselves.

What's the context?

staydazzling · 13/02/2019 20:16

what ??? Confused at 15 aswell, minors? Confused

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 13/02/2019 20:17

Ehm . I’m a girl and my 3 children are girls. Aren’t chlamydia tests “HVS” - high vaginal swabs.

Maybe things have changed since my last chlamydia test but I cannot imagine that happening in a school

LIZS · 13/02/2019 20:17

I seem to recall ds year had similar - there were incentives for those who took part.

Mum2jenny · 13/02/2019 20:17

Clamydia testing in schools without parental consent, just no way!!

Gomyownway · 13/02/2019 20:17

You know your kid can go to the doctors at 13 and get an std test and no-one has to tell you right? They have a right to privacy when it comes to their health, even from their parents.

ourkidmolly · 13/02/2019 20:18

No that's very poor medical protocol. They are minors. You should have been informed and asked for permission. That seems most peculiar anyway. Testing all children for STDs. What area is this please?

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 13/02/2019 20:18

Its voluntary and it isn't your business. Sorry.

@BathshebaKnickerStickers - no its urine, dip test in a bottle, they get the result text to them

NorthernBirdAtHeart · 13/02/2019 20:19

It’s not just the consent (legally they are minors) but also the assumption that everyone is sexually active.
YADNBU!

SchrodingersUnicorn · 13/02/2019 20:19

If they are over 13 and show they are competent to make decisions then no, they don't have to tell you. In fact, if he went to the school nurse and asked for a chlamydia test (Which is the way most schools do it, but obviously many kids who need it don't go) then they actively wouldn't be allowed to tell you.

WTBE · 13/02/2019 20:20

Hmm difficult one, I understand your concerns but I think that maybe, some children wouldn't want their parents to know 1. They are getting tested and might start questioning if they are having sex, And 2. The parents wanting to know the results of what in the end is a private matter.

I'm torn between them BU tbh, I was 16 when I had one done in college and my parents never found out.

Ribbonsonabox · 13/02/2019 20:21

How on earth could they ask for parental consent? What would be the point of it then? Most of the sexually active teens at most risk of the sti would refuse to take it if their parents were going to be informed.
Surely the se tual health of those teens should come before anyone elses right to know?
If a teen went to a walk in centre and asked for an sti test their parents would not be informed and they could have the test. It's to protect thier health, if this was not the case many if them would go untreated.

Dextrodependant · 13/02/2019 20:22

I think it is a good idea as long as it is voluntary.

PinkDaffodil2 · 13/02/2019 20:24

It may or may not be helpful to inform parents, but it certainly isn’t appropriate for you to be asked for consent. You wouldn’t be asked or informed if he were being checked at the GP or a GUM clinic, chlamydia is really common in that age group and it’s important to teach young people that they can access health care on their own terms at this age. What are they supposed to do if a parent objects or refuses consent (I know you’ce said you’d be fine but lots of parents wouldn’t, or don’t know that their child is sexually active). They can’t just refuse to test 15 year olds who have every right to screening.

sagradafamiliar · 13/02/2019 20:25

I think it's a good idea if the testing kits are in the loos like in sexual health clinics then anyone can pick one up and get tested if they wish.
As standard, no. It's form of peer pressure, surely? 'Oh they're assuming we're all sexually active, should I be having sex then? Am I not normal if I'm not?'

blessedmummyov5 · 13/02/2019 20:25

In Scotland over the age of 12 the doctor does not let u in room with ur child unless child says I want u there so I don't think they need ur permission as they of legal age to go to docs on own

Booboostwo · 13/02/2019 20:26

Gillick compétence anyone? A minor who displays understanding and consents to medical treatment can receive it without any involvement from parents. The ruling was first made with respect to providing contraception but it applies to this kind of case as well.

cupofteaandcake · 13/02/2019 20:27

OP you need to understand that they don't need to ask your consent at this age, neither do they need to tell you. Your child is free to go to GP without any referral to you for anything they want. As far as the state is concerned your child is Gillick compliant.

Last year we went on holiday and I was booked vaccinations, whilst my DD (aged 15) had given consent for me to 'share' her info, DH hadn't been and they refused to tell him if she had had or needed the vaccination.

You are just there to pick up any pieces if everything falls apart because at this point the 'state' won't be interested.

YouSayPotatoesISayVodka · 13/02/2019 20:29

My children aren’t in high school yet but I honestly don’t think I’d be that bothered. Surprised, certainly but I wouldn’t be freaking out about it. Chlamydia is often symptomless and can have devastating long term effects so I actually think it’s a good idea as long as it’s voluntary and is handled well.

isoundbetterinmyheadhonest · 13/02/2019 20:30

At 15 I was sexually active, I didn’t have a close relationship with my mum so had this been a thing in my youth I would have taken it up in school but if my mum had been informed I would have lied to her and swore blind I wasn’t having sex.

From my experience this sounds like a good plan and can only be a good thing, to promote and normalise STD screening at a young age

LizzieSiddal · 13/02/2019 20:30

This has been going on for many years. My Dds are now 28 and 25 and both had it done. It didn’t bother me at all, i was glad the school were open and helping those who needed it.

It’s entirely voluntary, they go to the loo, do a swab themselves and take it back. They get the results by text.

Mari50 · 13/02/2019 20:34

I’d have no problem with this at all. At 15 I expect my dd would be informed enough to know if she wanted to have this test and it’s not something she needs to discuss with me. At 15 I went to see the GP for the morning after pill and didn’t discuss it with my parents, same thing imo. In fact bringing in to school shows everyone how easy the screening is and that it’s necessary to take care of your sexual health if you’re sexually active.

Dishevelled09 · 13/02/2019 20:37

It's probably to do with PHSE, it'll be pee in a pot job, they have a local campaign in our gp's surgery for 16-25 (I think age wise). I wouldn't mind my son taking part, he's 16 and old enough without my consent for a few things now and wish my school back in the day had delivered a better PHSE programme which consisted of waving a durex about then rolling it on a fake penis.

pootleposeyperkin · 13/02/2019 20:42

It will be voluntary, there'll be a drop in clinic for anyone who wants to have it done.