Guide for 11 to 16 Year Olds

Once you get to 11 you have more rights.

You decide if you want your parents involved or not. The information below lets you know when you can make your own decisions about your health care.

How do I get a doctor?

If you are under the age of 16, your parents or carers will register you at a doctor’s surgery.

If you are over 16 you can register with a doctors surgery of your choice. Details of local doctors can be found at www.nhs.uk.

How do I make an appointment?

Complete an online consultation request.
Telephone the surgery on 02392 550220
Come in and speak to a receptionist.

Check out the DocReady website which has tips on preparing yourself for a GP appointment.

Can I see a doctor by myself?

If you are over 16 then yes. If you are under 16 the doctor or nurse might encourage you to come with your parent or carer. But they will understand how you feel if you don’t want to.

What happens if I don’t like my doctor?

There are times when people either don’t get on with or feel uncomfortable with their doctor. You can always ask to see someone else. You may not be able to do this straight away and might have to wait for another appointment, so it’s better to say as early as possible.

Who will know about my medical information?

Doctors and nurses keep your medical information confidential. Sometimes they do need to share information about you to give you good care. This may be with hospitals or clinics if you have agreed to go there. This is to make your care safer, easier and faster.

If there are particular things that you don't want to be shared, tell your health worker.

However, if they think you might be at risk of serious harm or in danger, they may have to tell another adult about it to be able to help you. But even then, they should tell you and explain who they will tell and why.

Sometimes the law allows the health service to share information about you without you agreeing to it. This would only happen in very serious situations – for example, if you have an illness that puts other people at risk, such as meningitis.

Will my parents be given information about me?

Usually, health workers are not allowed to tell your parents anything you have talked to them about, unless you have agreed to this. But the health worker may suggest that you speak to your parents or an adult you trust. A health worker may want to send out information to you. If you don’t want your parents to see this, you can:

Ask them to post it to a friend’s address
Say you’ll pick it up, or
Ask them not to send anything.

If you're feeling nervous or stressed, take a look at our anxiety and stress page for ways to cope.

What if my parents want to look at my health records?

Your health records include information about your health and any treatment you have had. Usually your parents can’t see your health records, unless you agree to it. If there’s something in your health records that you don’t want your parents to see, tell a health worker.

Can I see my own health records?

Yes. You should be able to see your records in a way that you can understand. Any codes or words you don’t understand should be explained to you. You may want to know about treatment you’ve had, or check that information about you is correct.

It’s your choice whether to look at your health records.

Who else can see my records?

If your parent or guardian has been given “proxy access” to your online medical records, then this access will be revoked once you reach the age of 16, and you will need to come into the surgery with photo ID if you would like access to Online Services on your own behalf.

Similarly if you have been sharing a mobile phone number or email address, then those details will be removed from your medical record once you are 11 years old. Please make us aware if your number is being shared or if you are unsure what contact details we have for you.

Sometimes, people who inspect child protection services may ask to look at the records of young people who have been involved with these services. This is to make sure that children are protected from harm. These inspectors must keep your personal information safe and private, unless they think you are in danger.

What if I’m unhappy about how my information has been kept or used?

If you think that what you’ve told a health worker hasn’t been kept private or that something in your health records is wrong, please tell one of the health workers who has been involved in your care, or ask your parent or another adult you trust to do this for you.

If you’re still unhappy, it’s okay to make a complaint.

Confidentiality

What does confidentiality mean?

It means keeping information safe and private.

The health service keeps all your health information confidential. This includes:

Anything you say
Information someone writes about you
Details of any treatment you have had

You can talk to health workers about anything to do with your health.

Contraception

Most methods of contraception won't protect you against catching or passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Condoms are the only method that protects against both STIs and pregnancy. Protect your own and your partner's health by using condoms as well as your chosen method of contraception.

Where to get free contraception

You can get free contraception and condoms from:

community contraceptive clinics
some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
sexual health clinics – these offer contraceptive and STI testing services
some young people's services

Many of these places offer information, testing and treatment for STIs, including chlamydia. If you've been exposed to the risk of pregnancy, you may also be at risk of catching an STI.

Find out more at:

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Sexandyoungpeople/Pages/Gettingcontraception.aspx

There are lots of contraceptive methods to choose from. You should use a method that suits you, not just because your friends are using it. Don't be put off if the first method you use isn't quite right for you – you can try another.

Will they tell my parents?

Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under 16 years old. This means the doctor or nurse won't tell your parents or anyone else, as long as they believe you're mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved.

There are strict guidelines for healthcare professionals who work with people under 16. If they believe there's a risk to your safety and welfare, they may decide to tell your parents.