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Can I carry out treatment on a teenager without informing their parents?

You can treat a child under 16 without their parents' consent if you consider them to be Gillick-competent.

It is sensible to encourage the patient to allow you to involve a parent, but you should not do so without their consent.

This page was correct at publication on 07/01/2022. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

Children and adolescents

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