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?

I work on a GP surgery. You would both need to wear masks and the GP will simply ask your DD if she wants mum present. It happens several times a week. It’s not a problem

Why are people being so negative about an actual child wanting their parent with them?
I am in my 30s and get very nervous before any medical appointment. I do go alone, but I get flustered and forget what I want to say/questions I should ask.

I've been to a GP's surgery with my adult son (aged 23 at the time) who had severe tonsillitis, was feeling very unwell and wanted someone with him. He went in by himself but the GP actually called me in to discuss whether I could take care of him at home and what to look for and what to do if it got worse.

If any of my DC feel the need to have me there for a medical appointment I'd go with them, whatever age.

Surely even during covid any patient is entitled to a chaperone. Lots of 16 year olds would want their mum their, particularly if the doctor is male. I can't see that you wouldn't be allowed

There, not their

Thank you for all the replies. Of course it would only be me and her (DH works away and DS is happy waiting in the car) and we’d both wear masks. She’s had a couple of phone appointments this year (one in April and another in July) but the surgery has requested that she come in for a face to face appointment, which is with a female gp.
@BewilderedDoughnut Whilst I appreciate your opinion, I found your reply rude. Simply asking for your mum to accompany you to a doctors appointment doesn’t make you incapable of being independent. My DD is in pain, she’s scared and anxious about her appointment and just wants some support.

Please go with her. I had problems with my periods for years and doctors refused to take me seriously well into my twenties.
Go with her to stop her being fobbed off with the same crap I had to deal with.

@BewilderedDoughnut to me, the idea that as soon as your child reaches a certain age, that negates you of any emotional responsibility to them is an issue. Adults need support just as much as young people and children. That doesn't just stop as soon as they reach whatever age the government decides is an 'adult'...

@BewilderedDoughnut my mum came with me at that age, I'm 45 now so not young! I am also capable to do things on my own because I had support when I was younger 🙄. My children aren't 16 yet but they do all the talking when they need to go to the dr and I would still go at 16 with them if they wanted me to.

@Nightowl45 I'd go if you can, it's better having someone with you if you need support so all questions can be remembered!

Hmmm.

If she wants you do ask and see if you can join in. 16 is so young- fair enough if she wants to be alone but if not surely you can go?

I was similar age, went alone and was very inappropriately touched in pelvic and chest region by the sleazy male doctor. I turned down chaperone as it was already embarrassing enough and I didn't know better.

Unfortunately I didn't have a mother who cared enough to even know I was going..

I recently went with 17 year old DD when she had treatment. She asked me to be with her, the practitioner did not have a problem, she spoke for herself, but me being there gave her more confidence.

@BewilderedDoughnut There is nothing wrong with wanting someone to go with the doctors with you, especially if you are 16. Sometimes, depending on what the appointment is likely to entail, doctors suggest bringing someone with you, whether you are a child or an adult.

I'm 27 and my dad drove me to a hospital appointment last week. Not because I needed him to but because he didn't want me to get stressed having to make my way through city traffic on the way to the hospital alone. I could have done it myself but he was more than happy to offer his support and I was happy to accept it. That doesn't make me any less independent.