Ethics and Law in Child Health Flashcards

1
Q

True / False: Young people under 16 years old are assumed to lack competence

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is Gillick competence?

A

This is the ruling that children / young people have the right to consent to a treatment themselves, providing they have sufficient understanding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the 4 criteria which need to be fulfilled for a young person to have Gillick competence?

A

The young person must understand:

  • What the treatment is
  • Why it is being proposed
  • Its risks and benefits
  • The consequences of not proceeding with the treatment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which guidance allows a young person under 16 years old to receive contraception/abortion advice and treatment without their parent’s consent?

A

The Fraser Guidelines allow this providing the young person has Gillick competence and fulfils the Fraser Criteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the criteria of the Fraser Guidelines which must be met to allow a young person under 16 years old to receive contraception/abortion advice and treatment without their parent’s consent?

A
  • The young person understands the doctor’s advice
  • The doctor cannot persuade the young person to tell their parents
  • The young person would begin or continue having sexual intercourse with or without contraceptive treatment
  • The young person’s mental or physical health would be impaired if they do not receive contraception / abortion advice and treatment
  • The young person’s best interests require the doctor to give them contraception / abortion advice or treatment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

True / False: A young person under 16 can refuse treatment in any circumstances

A

False - The young person may refuse treatment only if the refusal is deemed to be in the young person’s best interests. If the decision is not deemed by doctors to be in the best interests of the young person, the doctor can go ahead and carry out the treatment anyway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Who automatically has parental responsibility for a child at birth?

A

Mother
Father if married to the mother at the time of birth
‘Other female parent’ if in a civil partnership with the birth mother at the time of conception

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

True / False: A child’s biological father automatically has parental responsibility even if they are not married to the mother at the time of birth

A

False, the father must be married to the mother at the time of conception or birth for them to receive automatic responsibility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How can a biological father obtain parental responsibility if they do not have it at birth?

A
  • Marrying the mother
  • Being named on the birth certificate
  • Obtaining a ‘parental responsibility agreement’ with the mother, as registered by the High Court
  • Obtaining parental responsibility via a court order
  • Being made a guardian after the mother’s death
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

True / False: Biological fathers with parental responsibility do not lose this if they get divorced from the mother

A

True - Parental responsibility remains with both parents despite a divorce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

In what circumstances do you have a duty of care to report sexual activity in a 14 year old i.e. breach confidentiality?

A
  • If young person does not understand
  • If the sexual partner is in a position of trust
  • If it is suspected/known that money, pressure, coercion etc. were used to persuade the child
  • If drugs/alcohol were used to persuade the young person
  • If the sexual partner is known to have had abusive relationships with children in the past
  • If there is a big difference in age, maturity, power between the child and the sexual partner
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 4 types of child abuse?

A

Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

List 4 places on the body where bruising on a child may be considered ‘suspicious’

A

Back
Back of calves
Back of thighs
Buttocks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the 4 outcomes of a Section 47 investigation?

A

Unsubstantiated allogation - no further action required
Child in need plan
Child protection plan
Looked after child i.e. removal from carers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What happens if the parents and doctors disagree on whether to continue treatment or not? E.g. if parents want to stop chemotherapy but doctors want to carry on

A

‘A young person should not be allowed to come to harm because the parent(s) refuse consent for treatment which is in the patient’s best interests’…The decision is likely to go through the courts, but if the treatment is deemed to be in the child’s best interests, it will go ahead even if the parents refuse. In an emergency situation, treatment will go ahead.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

In what circumstances do you have a duty of care to report sexual activity in a 12 year old i.e. breach confidentiality?

A

IN ALL CASES - Penetrative sex with a child under 13 is classed as rape and must be reported. These children are not legally capable of consenting to sexual activity.

17
Q

What is ‘frozen watchfulness’?

A

A sign of emotional abuse - The child appears not to cry as they have learnt that no support will result from it

18
Q

Who has parental responsibility for a ‘looked after child’?

A

Local authority

19
Q

List some red flags in a history or examination which might lead you to be suspicious of child abuse or non accidental injury

A
Delayed presentation
Parental mental health problems
Parental substance abuse
Injury in 'protected area' e.g. trunk, buttocks
Vague or changing history
Injury which doesn't fit with history given
No explanation given for an injury
'Frozen watchfulness'
Parental stress - might be angry at questioning
Injury in non-ambulant child
Pattern of burn i.e. no splatter marks
Retinal haemorrhage
Torn frenulum
Fractured ribs