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Young people and the Fraser guidelines: confidentiality and consent
Author(s) -
Fleming Charlotte F
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.8.4.235.27273
Subject(s) - confidentiality , citation , obstetrics and gynaecology , library science , medicine , psychology , family medicine , law , political science , computer science , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Key content: • Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sexual intercourse and all forms of sexual touching of a minor are illegal in England and Wales. • There is no legal obligation to report underage sex unless exploitation is suspected. • Under the Fraser guidelines, a doctor is able to give contraceptive treatment or advice to a person under the age of 16 years, provided certain criteria are met. • The duty of confidentiality owed to a person under 16 years of age is the same as that owed to any other person. • All staff who deal with minors in a health setting need to be able to weigh up the conflicting priorities of the need for confidentiality and the possibility of sexual exploitation.