Consent In Adolescents

Question 0

How do you assess whether someone is Gillick competant

Answer 0

Assess and document

Their understanding and intelligence 
Chronological, metal and emotional age
Intellectual development and maturity 
Capacity to make up their own mind
Ability to fully understand and appraise the advise being given sand the nature and consequences and implications of advised treatment

Question 1

Is competency situation dependant?

Answer 1

Yes a child may be able to consent to dental treatment but not heart surgery

Question 2

What if a Gillick competent child refuses treatment.

Answer 2

A parent can lawfully consent on their behalf. The child should be involved in the decision making but if still refuses and it is in their best interest the parents can over rule

Question 3

If a child wants treatment and the parent doesn’t ?

Answer 3

The parents cannot over rule the decision. May be difficult is the parent is paying for the treatment

Question 4

Consent in 16-17 yr olds?

Answer 4

They can consent without asking parents

If they refuse and parents believe it is in their best interest then the parents can give consent