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Confidentiality
Find out about your confidentiality rights.
Privacy is important if you need to talk with a health professional about a difficult subject. Many young people worry about their parents finding out, especially if their doctor has treated them for years and maybe knows their parents.
However, young people have the same right to confidentiality during a medical check-up as anyone else. You also have the right to respect and fair treatment.
Doctor - patient confidentiality is protected by law if you are over 16.
What you need to know about confidentiality:
- Important: There are some situations in which the person you talk to might not be able to maintain confidentiality, for example if you are in danger or if others are in danger.
- If you feel uncomfortable or unsure about confidentiality, ask the doctor or the clinic at the start of your visit whether the information will be confidential or whether your parents will be told. Also ask if the doctor is obliged to tell anyone else.
- After age 16, you can consent or refuse to have surgical, dental or medical treatment. Before that age you need your parents/guardians consent. Some hospitals will not perform operations on young people under 18, unless they have parental signatures.
- Doctors do not have to report illegal drug use or underage sex to the police. Other health professionals may be obliged to though, so it's a good idea to ask about confidentiality beforehand.
- You can choose your own doctor after age 16 and can ask for a female or male doctor.
- Once you hit 16, doctors are obliged to keep all information you tell them confidential unless they fear you may harm yourself or others. However this rule also applies to adults over 18 and is not unique to young people. Doctors do not have to report this information if you are over 16, but they do have that option.
- If you are over 16, a doctor may wish to talk to your parents, but he/she cannot do so without your consent.
- For most people talking to a doctor about difficult subjects can be embarrassing and stressful. Remember that doctors, nurses and counsellors deal with these things everyday.
