To go with DD to the doctors?

[Nightowl45]

Posting here a bit for traffic but also because I’m unsure what to do with the current covid climate. DD is 16 and has an appointment on Monday for her periods but I’m wondering if I’m allowed to go with her? Some hospital trusts seem to let a parent/guardian accompany a child to hospital but I can’t find much about going to the gp. Am I likely to be turned away if I try to go with her? I’ve gone with her to previous appointments (pre-covid) but the website for our gp surgery doesn’t detail anything about patients being accompanied by a family member. Any advice?

16 is old enough to see a doctor alone, no?

As the surgery. You could always be on speaker phone in the consult if she wants you too be

If she has asked you to be there spefically then call the surgery and ask if not then she is old enough to go alone

Does she have special needs?
I don't think my mum attended any of my doctors appointments past about 14.

I guess it's going to be down to your surgery.

Like most, I suppose, ours very much moves everything over to being under the 16yo's control, but to extremes of the parent no longer being able to request repeat prescriptions etc.

However, I can't see them refusing to allow a parent to accompany them IF the teen wants them to.

Or frankly anyone wanting a partner/parent/friend to accompany them.

They may be asked if they feel it's necessary due to Covid, but I really don't think they'd refuse

Does she need you to?

Does she want you to be there with her? If not you’ll have to just drop her off and wait.

If there's something she's worried she'll forget to ask, could she write a list down and take it with her?

My ds 15 is getting a tooth out at the dentist, our dentist is located in a dr surgery and the rules are either me or dp can go in with him as we are from the same household, masks have to be worn at all times presumably ds can take his off for the tooth removal, and temperatures will be taken!

They would see her on her own at 16 but would imagine they would let you in to support her as she’s still a child.

Does she want you to go with her?If she is happy to go on her own it would be best but if she really wants you there you could phone and ask.

I don’t think you should be attending GP appointments with a 16 year old anyway, unless she has special needs or is anxious about it.

I think GPs prefer to see patients over a certain age individually as many people might not be completely honest or provide full disclosure everything with a family member sitting there.

16 is a bit old to have your mum go with you. This is the middle of the transition age where your becoming an adult and need more responsibility

What time is her appointment? Just ring up and ask the surgery before you set off and then you'll know. Does your daughter want you there? If she really does, explain that to the surgery when you ring.

Any woman can ask to have a chaperone during a pelvic exam - DD could specify she wants you. Or she might actually NOT want you in the room. Ask her.

What have the surgery advised when you callled them to ask?

At 16 send her alone unless she has a disability and needs you to support her.

Our surgery are saying to go alone unless you need a career or absolutely have to bring your children with you as there is no other choice. So I think you will need to stay home or outside while DD goes in.

Main question is whether she wants you there. If yes, then it should be ok. Hospitals are going to allow a parent to be there with their child.

I've been to both doctors and hospital with ds 16 over the past months.
The rules have been wear mask at all times, one person to accompany from the same household and when we've been to hospital they've put us straight into a treatment room.
A 16 year old may still need support to effectively access health care.

Just call and ask. No one here can tell you the rules.

The question of if you “should” go with her is different- if she wants you to go, then you should if you’re allowed and she wants the support.

She has no special needs but is anxious about going and has asked me to come with. The appointment is straight after school and I’d happily let her go by herself and wait in the car outside for her but if she wants me there then I’m happy to go with. I’ll try to ring up Monday morning to ask the surgery if I’m allowed in with her. She does most of the talking and knows what she wants to say, I think she just likes the reassurance of having me there to offer an opinion or support.

If it's needed for support in anyway then you are allowed. The receptionist will try to put you off.

Just ask. I went with my 18 year old when she went for a blood test as she had fainted the time before and landed on her face. I asked if either I could go in or if someone could walk her back to the door if I waited outside. I went in which was the best thing as she fainted again.

JJeans, your daughter needs to insist on being horizontal for blood tests. I'm the same, and the one time I thought I'd risk not asking, they had to catch me. My surgeries have always been fine about it taking a little bit longer - at one, they had a spare room right opposite reception, so they used to take me in there for my blood test so I could take my time to sit up again without holding up the next appointment. I always take some chocolate and a sugary drink, and sit in the waiting room for a little while before setting off home.