Report urges greater autonomy for teens in health issues

A MAJOR new report has recommended changes to existing legislation to allow 16-17-year-olds to seek or refuse medical treatment including contraception, surgery and mental health services without the need of parental consent.

However, the report by the Law Reform Commission also proposes that minors (children under 16) should not be presumed competent to consent to, or refuse, medical treatment, except in exceptional circumstances. The LRC’s recommendations which would allow 16-17-year-olds to access a range of over-the-counter medicines is likely to prove controversial, particularly among some family and right-wing groups.

Draft legislation proposed by the LRC to implement its recommendations would allow such teenagers to buy a range of products including condoms, skincare treatments and antibiotics, without parental approval.