What to do when a parent or guardian tries to override a legally competent child’s consent to a surgical operation

Abstract

Guidelines are provided for doctors where a parent or guardian tries to override an otherwise legally competent child’s consent to a surgical operation by refusing to provide the assistance required by the Children’s Act. Consideration is given to whether an otherwise legally competent child is competent to consent to a surgical operation when this can be overridden by their parent or guardian, and the legal position regarding informed consent by a child to the surgical termination of her pregnancy.