BMA Children & Young People Ethics Toolkit
1 likesAudience: healthcare professionals
(January 2024)
Questions about children and young people make up a significant area of ethical enquiry for the BMA.
This guidance has sections about specific areas relating to the examination and treatment of people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who are aged under 18, and in Scotland under 16. There are separate sections identifying factors to be considered when assessing competence and determining ‘best interests’, and sensitive areas including child protection and access to sexual health services.
The purpose of this toolkit is not to provide definitive answers for every situation but to identify the key factors that need to be considered when
such decisions are made, and signpost other key documents. All sections refer to useful guidance from bodies such as the General Medical Council
(GMC), BMA, and health departments, which should be used in conjunction with the guidance. In addition, the medical defence bodies and many of the royal colleges produce specific advice for their members.