How does Gillick competency work with Covid testing?

[DonGray]

Is a Covid test considered a medical treatment or intervention?

a covid test is neither a treatment or an intervention, no

but cut to the chase @DonGray, basically you think children shouldn't be tested and it violates their human rights?

If a child is Gillick competent and they refuse testing fair enough. They are old enough to understand that any symptoms and they have to isolate for the full 10 days instead.
Asymptomatic and contact testing again their choice. Travel testing - well they are choosing not to travel.
Basically they are an adult when it comes to consent.

I presume that if a 14yo turned up for a test, they would get it. Especially if they had a covid denier parent.

The theory is, if they are competent enough to book a test or vaccine, they qualify.

A child under 16 can consent if they have sufficient understanding and intelligence to fully understand what is involved in a proposed treatment, including its purpose, nature, likely effects and risks, chances of success and the availability of other options.

If a child passes the Gillick test, he or she is considered ‘Gillick competent’ to consent to that medical treatment or intervention. However, as with adults, this consent is only valid if given voluntarily and not under undue influence or pressure by anyone else. Additionally, a child may have the capacity to consent to some treatments but not others. The understanding required for different interventions will vary, and capacity can also fluctuate such as in certain mental health conditions.

I would say most teenagers are Gillick competent to consent, or otherwise, to testing on their own behalf as the possible side effwcts/implications are not complicated or serious. Probably fewer teenagers, but still a good many, and certainly the older teenagers, could be considered Gillick competent for the vaccine also.

My 15 year old refuses LFT, if she is deemed competent to make decisions about other aspects of her medical care then she can make this decision. I have no right to force her to do so.

Equally I would say most teenagers are Gillick competant to consent to vaccine if their parents do not give permission.

Fraser competent is the more generally accepted terminology now if you're searching for info

@Findahouse21

Fraser competent is the more generally accepted terminology now if you're searching for info

www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/gp-mythbuster-8-gillick-competency-fraser-guidelines "The ‘Fraser guidelines’ specifically relate only to contraception and sexual health"

@dongray oh, thank you, I'd not heard of that specific information, thanks. Wasn't trying to be anipey, just thought different terms might help to search for info but obviously not!!

@Findahouse21 I used to think so too but have since learnt that Fraser only applies to sexual health and contraception! I know Mrs Gillick remains furious that her name is atached to a principle that was developed following her losing her legal challenge.

@AfternoonToffee I agree children who do not want lateral flow should not be forced or coerced. However, Gillick competence only applies to consenting to, not witholding consent. So a child's lack of consent can be overriden by their responsible adult, or if necessary the court, where it is considered in their best interests. However where a competent child consents and the parents disagree or do not know, the competent child's conse t is enough. Lateral flow tests are unlikely to ever fall into this category though, so i wouldnt worry.