Parental Responsibility: Health

Parental Responsibility: Health

Parental responsibility refers to the rights, duties, powers and responsibilities that most parents have in respect of their children.
  • Parental responsibility includes the right of parents to consent to treatment on behalf of their children, provided the treatment is in the interests of the child.
  • Those with parental responsibility have a statutory right to apply for access to their children’s health records, although if the child is capable of giving consent, he or she must consent to the access
  • Competent children can decide many aspects of their care for themselves.
  • Where doctors believe that parental decisions are not in the best interests of the child, it may be necessary to seek a view from the courts, whilst meanwhile only providing emergency treatment that is essential to preserve life or prevent serious deterioration.

    • Related Articles

    • Parent’s Letter to GP/Doctor

      Attached to this article is a letter template which some of our Dads have found useful to communicate their parental responsibility to their children's doctors. As a way of ensuring their contact details are attached to their children's health ...

    • What is Parental Responsibility?

      All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a parent - known as ‘parental responsibility’. If you have parental responsibility, your most important roles are to: provide a home for the child protect and maintain the child ...

    • Who has Parental Responsibility?

      A mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth. A father usually has parental responsibility if he’s either: married to the child’s mother listed on the birth certificate (after a certain date, depending on which part of ...

    • Guide for Schools dealing with Parental Responsibility

      The Government has published guidance to schools for dealing with Parental Responsibility and separated parents to help schools understand their obligations and duties in relation to the rights and responsibilities of parents, as recognised by ...

    • Parental Responsibility: Case Law

      AvA [2004] EWHC 142 You can read the full judgment in context here: link. Decisions that could be taken independently and without any consultation or notification to the other parent. How the children are to spend their time during contact Personal ...

    About Dads Unlimited

    Dads Unlimited supports the emotional safety of men and those they care about through three key areas; supporting male victims of domestic abuse, supporting men with family separation; and supporting men’s mental health. All of our services use an evidence-based, trauma-informed, person-centred approach. You can find out more on our website www.dadsunltd.org.uk

    If you register with Dads Unlimited, you agree to be bound by our privacy policy.