We aim to offer services which are ‘teenage-friendly’. In summary, this means that:
- We welcome teenagers and aim to put them at ease when they come to the practice
- We can assure teenagers that confidentiality will be maintained if aged 12-16, and they ask to keep details of their consultations confidential or if they consult us about potentially sensitive issues
- Teenagers are welcome to see a Doctor on their own if they wish and are aged 12-16. We would however advise them to come with an adult where possible
- If you are under 12, you may still be able to make decisions about your health care information but the doctor must believe that you understand enough to do this.
Sexual health advice is available, as is advice on other issues such as depression, drugs, alcohol and self-harm and we can advise teenagers about emergency contraception if required.
Confidentiality a guide for young people under 16 in Scotland
More Information and Your Questions Answered
Can I see the doctor or nurse on my own?
Our doctors and nurses will listen to you and take your concerns seriously, sometimes, young people can find it more difficult than adults to talk about the underlying problem and the reason for seeing a GP.
As a young person, you can be seen on your own, with no lower age limit. Our reception staff can make an appointment for you to see a GP without a parent if you would prefer to.
If you come with a parent/carer/friend, you can still be seen on your own for part of the consultation while they wait outside.
People aged 16 or over are entitled to consent to their own treatment. This can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances.
Like adults, young people (aged 16 or 17) are presumed to have sufficient capacity to decide on their own medical treatment, unless there’s significant evidence to suggest otherwise.
Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they’re believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what’s involved in their treatment. This is known as being Gillick competent.
Can I trust my Doctor to keep what I tell him or her private?
Even if you are under 16, doctors still have to keep anything you tell them private, just as they would for an adult. So whether you ask for advice about a cold or something as personal as contraception or a sexual problem, your Doctor will not tell anyone else what has been discussed.
Are there any exceptions to this?
Only a few. In exceptional circumstances the Doctor may believe that keeping a secret puts either a patient or someone else in severe danger. For example, if a Doctor suspected you were being seriously hurt in some way he or she may wish to involve other professionals in helping you. Even so, nothing should be passed on before it is discussed with you.
But don’t I need my parents permission?
You don’t need your parent’s permission to see a Doctor but it can be really helpful to discuss problems with your parents. If you were thinking of starting or have already started having sex, your Doctor may suggest you talk to them about it. But he or she should not pass on any information to your parents without your agreement
How can I find out for sure?
If you are in any doubt ring the Doctor’s Practice or clinic first and ask them whether they offer confidential appointments for under 16 year olds. It may feel a bit embarrassing but you don’t have to give your name or any other details over the phone and they won’t know who you are. If they say yes, you can go ahead and make an appointment, but if they say no you can find somewhere else that does offer a confidential service.