Guidelines urged on whether children have right to refuse medical treatment

Clear guidelines need to be set out on whether children under the age of 18 have the right to refuse consent to medical treatment, the Government-appointed rapporteur on children’s rights has said.

Geoffrey Shannon made his comments in a new Child Law Audit, put together by the Children’s Rights Alliance and the Law Centre for Children and Young People, which is being published today.

In his chapter on health and healthcare, Dr Shannon writes: “A crucial issue relating to the participation of children in healthcare decisions is that of the right to consent to medical treatment. Law and practice in Ireland does not at present provide clear guidelines on consent for professionals, and it has been reported that this results in inconsistent professional practice.