Teenagers Right To Medical Decision-Making
This brochure contains an outline of a teenagers legal rights when it comes to medical decision making.
The health care guidance your child needs at 12-14 years will be different from what they need when they are 15-17 years or 18-19 years. As your child matures with becoming a teenager, health professionals such as GPs, specialists, psychologists, physiotherapists and dentists will start taking into account your child’s opinions and ability to make independent health care decisions. The age at which a young person can consent to simple health care treatments without involving a parent or guardian is around 14 years.
Dependants have the right to participate in decisions that affect their life, and as they mature to teenagers they gain the right to make their own medical decisions.
Generally, teenagers can give their own …show more content…
Provided that a medical practitioner, believes that it is in the best interests of the child and that the child is capable of understanding the nature, consequences and risks involved in the particular treatment, that child is able to consent to their own treatment.
Although teenagers are able to consent to treatment, they do not have the right to refuse medical treatment ordered for them.
When it is unclear as to who is in position to consent to treatment, or where the parents’ wishes conflict with that of the dependants, the courts guardianship jurisdiction may be used to resolve the confusion or dispute. The decision then made by the court will always be based upon the best interests of the child.
Teenagers can also get their own Medicare card when they are 15, or younger if you personally request it. You can also choose to stay on your family Medicare card and have a copy made to keep for
The health care guidance your child needs at 12-14 years will be different from what they need when they are 15-17 years or 18-19 years. As your child matures with becoming a teenager, health professionals such as GPs, specialists, psychologists, physiotherapists and dentists will start taking into account your child’s opinions and ability to make independent health care decisions. The age at which a young person can consent to simple health care treatments without involving a parent or guardian is around 14 years.
Dependants have the right to participate in decisions that affect their life, and as they mature to teenagers they gain the right to make their own medical decisions.
Generally, teenagers can give their own …show more content…
Provided that a medical practitioner, believes that it is in the best interests of the child and that the child is capable of understanding the nature, consequences and risks involved in the particular treatment, that child is able to consent to their own treatment.
Although teenagers are able to consent to treatment, they do not have the right to refuse medical treatment ordered for them.
When it is unclear as to who is in position to consent to treatment, or where the parents’ wishes conflict with that of the dependants, the courts guardianship jurisdiction may be used to resolve the confusion or dispute. The decision then made by the court will always be based upon the best interests of the child.
Teenagers can also get their own Medicare card when they are 15, or younger if you personally request it. You can also choose to stay on your family Medicare card and have a copy made to keep for