Doctors
If you feel that you are in a situation where you need help but you cannot talk to your parents it might be helpful for you to know that young people under 16 have a right to see a doctor without anyone else knowing about it. That includes your parents.
Doctors, like solicitors, have special rules about confidentiality - which means, rules about keeping what you say to them secret. Doctors must keep what you say to them secret, unless they think you are at risk. You should expect that when you see a doctor, no one is told that you went or why without your permission.
If you are under 16 you can consent or refuse to consent to your own medical treatment or examinations if the doctor thinks that you understand the implications of these decisions. Only the doctor judges whether you can consent. Your parents' consent is only valid if the doctor has decided that you cannot understand enough to consent or refuse.
For advice about sexual health or contraception, see under the heading "Sex".
