UK health workers urge teenage sex advice to remain confidential

The current usual right of a teenager under the age of 16 to maintain confidentiality when discussing sexual health issues with a doctor or other health professional is being challenged by a UK parent who argues that parental input is vital in the cases of underage abortion and other serious sexual health issues.

Health campaigners argue that removing this confidentiality would lead to an increase in unplanned pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections.

It would cause teenagers to avoid seeking professional help and advice, because the fear of other people being told about the issues they face is a key concern and reason for teens not to seek medical help.

Anne Weyman, chief executive of the Family Planning Association, said: “This case seeks to compel health professionals to inform the parents of anyone aged under 16 that they have been approached by that young person for advice, information or treatment about any sexual health matter, not just abortion.

“Young people worry a great deal about confidentiality and it is the single most important factor in their decision to visit a health service. Compulsory parental notification of their visit will drive teenagers away from services and prevent many of them coming forward for help.

“This will only put them at greater risk of unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, with potentially disastrous consequences to individuals, the public health and the NHS.”

Currently, only in extreme cases where the safety and wellbeing of the child outweighs the right to privacy, are other people - such as police, social workers and parents - involved.

However, health professionals always encourage a responsible adult to be involved in the decisions a teenager makes, even if it is not a parent.

A recent Brook survey found that almost three-quarters of young people under 16 would be less likely to seek sexual health advice if they thought other people could be informed.

Read the full article: Teen sex advice must remain confidential, say campaigners