When did your dc first go to the GP by themselves ?

[bruffin]

DS is 16 and has a number of allergies including nuts and seeds. Up until now he has not had an epipen because his breathing was not affected. However last week, through his own fault he ate a biscuit with macademia nuts and he had a reaction that affected his breathing, so now feel he should have an epipen.
I have made an appointment for him with GP on monday, which I forgot was one of my work days. He is happy to go to the doctors by himself. He is a fairly confident intelligent boy so should be able to tell gp about what happened etc. I am a bit about him going by himself! So not sure what to do?

Bruffin my dd went alone at about 15, I think your ds will be fine, as long as he keeps you in the loop.

Hope he's ok.

Well our Doctor encourages teenager alone from about 15.

Thanks
I know he will be fine but just seems a big step on the ladder of growing up.

I said I would give him some notes, he said "do anything that makes you happy mum" in that teenage patronising mum way

my daughter is a allergic to nuts, she carries an epipen .. shes been going to the GP alone since she had just turned 15, the GP here also encourages them to go alone from that age :)

The only thing I can advise is that if he's not too good at remembering things, get him to write down instructions the doctor gives him (about using it, etc) because DD2 went to the doctors recently and came out, we said 'so did she tell you anything specific about when you should take it?' and the like and got the usual teenage 'fgs no!' type reply, but in fact the doctor had given her a variety of instructions, as we found out two weeks later!

Not got teenagers but i first went at 17 for the pill, mum sat outside incase the doctor said no!

OP it will be like his first day at school he will be fine and you will be nervous

As a doctor, I'm happy to see teens on their own or with a parent (in hospital not a GP but lots of clinics) Most have parents with them, but not all. If they're adult enough to understand and act on the advice given then that's fine. I tend to talk to younger DCs too; parent there, but consultation between me and the DC, with parent able to add bits and bobs here and there.

15 is fine. I had agreed that my 15 yr old would go to his dermatology appointment by himself but in the end he did have to. He was happy to go and they were happy to see him.

For simple matters it is much better that they try it out before its something complex or important.

Do note that any gp will see any child/ teen in confidence of the child wants it if they are gilick competent - ie understand whats going on. That ruling was about young girls wanting contraception , but actually applies to any situation. If a child is gillick competent the good gp will encourage them to talk to you about the matter but, unless there are safeguarding issues will not breach confidentiality if the child says not to.

Thanks Everyone

He went to his appointment and has come out with a prescription for an epipen, so everything worked out fine