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Professional standards for doctors 0-18 years - guidance for all doctors
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Professional standards for doctors 0-18 years -guidance for all doctors
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This guidance is for all doctors, but it may also be useful for children, young people1, those with an
interest in their care, and anyone else who wants to know what guidance doctors are given.
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2
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The guidance is for all doctors, whether or not they routinely see children and young people as
patients. Doctors should also be aware of the needs and welfare of children and young people when
they see patients:
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a. who are parents or carers2
b. who are cared for by children or young people, or
c. who may represent a danger to children or young people.
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Good medical practice states that doctors must safeguard and protect the health and well-being of
children and young people. Well-being includes treating children and young people as individuals and
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respecting their views, as well as considering their physical and emotional welfare.
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When treating children and young people, doctors must also consider parents and others close to
them; but their patient must be the doctor’s first concern.
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,When treating adults who care for, or pose risks to, children and young people, the adult patient must
be the doctor’s first concern; but doctors must also consider and act in the best interests of children
and young people.
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Children and young people may be particularly vulnerable and need to be protected from harm; they
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can often find it difficult accessing services or defending their rights; and they often rely on others for
their well-being. They may have particular communication needs and may need help to make
decisions.
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Children and young people are individuals with rights that should be respected. This means listening
to them and taking into account what they have to say about things that affect them. It also means
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respecting their decisions and confidentiality.
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Doctors should always act in the best interests of children and young people. This should be the
guiding principle in all decisions which may affect them. But identifying their best interests is not
always easy. This is particularly the case in relation to treatment that does not have proven health
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benefits or when competent young people refuse treatment that is clearly in their medical interests.
There can also be a conflict between child protection and confidentiality, both of which are vitally
important to the welfare of children and young people.
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, Reaching satisfactory answers to these challenging questions may mean considering a number of
difficult ethical and legal issues. The purpose of this guidance is to help doctors balance competing
interests and make decisions that are ethical, lawful and for the good of children and young people.
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The law relating to children and young people is complex and differs across the UK. Doctors who
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have children and young people as patients will need some understanding of the law as it applies
where they practise. Summaries of the law contained in this guidance cannot be a substitute for
up-to-date legal advice in individual cases.3
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When in doubt as to their responsibilities, doctors should seek the advice of experienced colleagues,
named or designated doctors for child protection, or professional or regulatory bodies.
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Assessing best interests
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An assessment of best interests will include what is clinically indicated in a particular case. You
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should also consider:
a. the views of the child or young person, so far as they can express them, including any
previously expressed preferences
b. the views of parents
c. the views of others close to the child or young person
d. the cultural, religious or other beliefs and values of the child or parents4
e. the views of other healthcare professionals involved in providing care to the child or young
person, and of any other professionals who have an interest in their welfare
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