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Parental consent, and parents under the age of 16 years

  • 03-06-2016 2:43pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28


    Simple question really.

    As far as I am aware, underage parents, who cannot generally consent (or refuse consent) regarding their own medical treatment, may nevertheless consent (or refuse consent) regarding the medical treatment of their own children.

    Has the law struck an inappropriate balance here, as regards the rights of children and parents respectively?

    Why should a child of underage parents be subjected to the ill-considered decisions of their underage parents, when those underage parents are themselves protected by law, which requires that decisions on their medical treatment be left to fully grown adults?


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,087 ✭✭✭Pro Hoc Vice


    Simple question really.

    As far as I am aware, underage parents, who cannot generally consent (or refuse consent) regarding their own medical treatment, may nevertheless consent (or refuse consent) regarding the medical treatment of their own children.

    Has the law struck an inappropriate balance here, as regards the rights of children and parents respectively?

    Why should a child of underage parents be subjected to the ill-considered decisions of their underage parents, when those underage parents are themselves protected by law, which requires that decisions on their medical treatment be left to fully grown adults?

    Has this ever happened. In any event if it did the HSE would bring a Court application to deal with the lack of consent. Sch an application can be brought in relation to any minor no matter the parents age.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 raddoc


    As a junior doctor in Dublin in the 1970's I remember dealing with a 17 year old married couple where the wife could not give consent for the medical procedure she was to have but the underage husband could give it on her behalf! Hope things have improved since.


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