Turning 16? 

 

What it means for your healthcare

Turning 16, what does it mean?

You may not be aware, but once you turn 16 you will have to start paying for your prescriptions, unless you are in full-time education, pregnant or receiving benefits. 

 

Can I make an appointment myself?

Yes! You can make an appointment for yourself, all requests for an on the day GP appointment should be submitted online using Anima. Here you will be asked a variety of questions regarding your issue. The Anima form will be reviewed by a Doctor, Nurse or other healthcare professional. Once your form has been assessed you will be contacted by the clinician. If the clinician contacts you to book an appointment you will be offered an appointment on the same day so please make sure you are free. All appointments for nurses and blood tests can still be arranged over the phone. Do not worry if you do not have access to a computer or the internet, if you telephone the surgery one of our friendly Care Navigators will complete the form on your behalf

 

People aged 16 or over are entitled to consent to their own treatment. This can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances.

Like adults, young people (aged 16 or 17) are presumed to have sufficient capacity to decide on their own medical treatment, unless there's significant evidence to suggest otherwise.

Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they're believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment. This is known as being Gillick competent.

 

When consent can be overruled

If a young person refuses treatment, which may lead to their death or a severe permanent injury, their decision can be overruled by the Court of Protection. This is the legal body that oversees the operation of the Mental Capacity Act.

 

Consent to share information

Something you may wish to discuss with your parent/guardian is giving consent to share information. At the practice we ask any patients from the age of 16 to complete consent to proxy access form which can be collected from the front desk. This form allows your parent/guardian to speak on your behalf and/or make decisions regarding your treatment and care. This is completely your decision.  If no consent has been granted to speak to a parent/guardian, as a practice we will not discuss anything regarding your medical care/history to anyone but yourself. 

 

SystmOnline access and contact details

If your parent/guardian has access to your online health record via SystmOnline/NHS app then this will be revoked once you turn 14. We will then ask you for some ID (birth certificate/photo ID) if you would like to access your online record on your own behalf. If you have been sharing a mobile phone number or email address with a parent/guardian, then those details will also be removed from your medical record once you turn 16 and will need to be replaced with your own contact details. It is important that we have up to date contact details for yourself. Please ensure that we have your correct telephone numbers and have a personal email address for you. We cannot use a parent/guardian’s phone number for you unless a consent to proxy access form has been completed and updated to your record.

 

What does confidentiality mean?

It means keeping information safe and private. The practice and the NHS keeps all your health information confidential. This includes: Anything you say, information someone writes about you, and details of any treatment you have had.

 

Will my parent/guardian be given information about me?

Without your consent we are not allowed to tell your parents anything you have talked to a clinician about. But the clinician may suggest that you speak to your parents or an adult you trust if they feel you may need more support. A clinician may want to send out information to you. If you don’t want your parents to see this, you can: Ask them to post it to a friend’s address, say you’ll pick it up, or ask them not to send anything.

 

Your healthcare, your choice

Did you know, if you are under 18 you can still decide whether or not you want to become an organ donor. You can register your organ donation decision via the NHS website at any age, and change your decision at any time. 

 

Contraception

Contraception is free on the NHS. Contraception prevents pregnancy if used correctly. You can contact the practice on 01473 822 961 or use our Anima service if you are wanting to start contraception. Our contraception service is confidential, this means the GP won’t tell your parent/guardian as long as they believe you are mature enough to understand the information given. Our practice also provides free emergency contraception and advice.

The eC-Card APP gives FREE condoms to young people in suffolk aged 16 to 24. The service can be accessed by all genders. It doesn't matter whether service users are having sex, thinking about sex, or if they are just curious

 

Useful contacts

Childline

They help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Whether it’s something big or small, their trained counsellors are there to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available24 hours per day and 7 days a week.

iCaSH

Our iCaSH (integrated Contraception and Sexual Health) service provides all aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and treatment. iCaSH is available from easily accessible single locations across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire,Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Norfolk & Waveney and Wellbeing Suffolk provide a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood, depression or stress.

Mermaids

Mermaids has been supporting trans and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995.