15 yr old GP alone?

[Workhomework]

My son has what I think is a chest infection. Only GP appointments are school hours and I'm a teacher (and has to ask for time off for two other things recently) My husband is away at the moment. Would it be unreasonable to send him alone? He's an articulate capable lad. I'd collect any meds after work. He's at home off school alone and I pop in at lunch. He's happy to go and it's only an 10 min walk

So long as he is ok with going alone.

Fine imv

I might check with the surgery but as long as he's OK by himself I see no problem. At around that age I was certainly seeing a GP on my own though logistics meant a parent had to drive me there.

That's a good shout. I'll call them tomorrow (will book first thing and if they say no I'll cancel)

I think it's fine. I'm sure I went to the Dr alone at that age (although that was 30+ years ago TBF).

It’s fine. Although I’d try and be available on the phone if at all possible (although can’t see why, I’d just want to personally).

15 yo GP? Is it Doogie Howser?

Yeah I would let him go on these circumstances. The surgery will probably say yes, but if they're saying no, you could always ask if a receptionist could chaperone him for the appointment.

Any time I've had a gynae exam by a male doctor at our surgery, they request that a receptionist chaperones.

🤣

Yes it’ll be 15 at the age of 15 he’s classed as able to make decisions about his own medical care.

Thinking some more the surgery will likely have some procedures/protocols for this. With your DS it's essentially about logistics but there must be other cases, not least DDs and contraception, where the patient wants confidentiality.

One such issue led us to the concept of 'Gillick Competence' - see link below:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/children/

Hmmm

If it’s a chest infection, I’d be worried about him being physically able to walk there and back. Last time I had a chest infection I could hardly drag my ass downstairs to eat

Surely if the Gillick competence thing applied, the OP son would have to book the appointment himself?

I mean, if a 15 yo girl can't make herself a doctors appointment and needs her mum to do it, she is by no means ready for a sex life.

I went on my own routinely at that age and it was never a problem. I also work in a similar setting and see a lot of children of a similar age presenting independently.

If your ds is OK with it, it's fine.

Yes it’s fine. I went to the gp alone form 14 as my mum worked full time and always left me to it.

He's fine to go alone. The GP will assess whether he's capable of making his own medical decisions and if he can't they will make contact with you ir his dad

Thanks all. I'll book online in the morning and call them to confirm. He honestly couldn't have picked a worse time to be ill!

My DSs always timed any illnesses to be as inconvenient as possible
You should ground him for a month ;)

Of course it's fine.

DD of same age went last week (I was waiting in w/r) and going again tomorrow. I can’t go with her tomorrow, but I think it’ll be fine.

He usually picks holidays, so many doctors and GP services around the country. His first two Christmases he was very unwell. 🙄

I think he'll be fine, I might be tempted to do a bit of a rehearsal about what he'll need to do/say but he sounds sensible enough.

I agree with the rehearsal!

He'll be fine. How do people think teenage girls get contraception. I doubt many take their patents along!