Procedures for the approval of places wishing to be registered as Pregnancy Advice Bureaux / Department of Health.

  • Great Britain. Department of Health
Date:
1999
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Procedures for the approval of places wishing to be registered as Pregnancy Advice Bureaux / Department of Health. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    For women over aged 16 who do not have the capacity to give consent, one of the doctors who expresses an opinion on the abortion should, ideally, have experience of dealing patients with mental incapacity. Counselling A person trained and experienced in counselling in this field must be available to attend PABx if required. Counselling must be offered to women who request or who appear to need help in deciding on the management of pregnancy or who are having difficulty in coping emotionally. Counselling should be offered to women under 16 and to those with a history of psychiatric illness, who lack social or emotional support or whom their partner, family or employer is possibly coercing into having an abortion. All staff must realise that a woman may not resolve ambivalence about a pregnancy during a counselling session. Rather, the session helps her clarify her thoughts and facilitates constructive discussion during the next few hours or days. This is often through more effective communication with her partner or some other person who is emotionally close. Women who remain ambivalent after counselling can be given a provisional appointment for admission but must be told that the procedure can be postponed or cancelled and that she remains free to continue with the pregnancy if, on reflection, she decides this would be the most satisfactory outcome. Girls under age 16 In the case of girls under 16, every effort should be made during the assessment session to persuade the girl to involve her parents whilst respecting the girl’s wishes regarding confidentiality. Girls under 16 are vulnerable and may be under a great deal of pressure to resolve the situation. Safeguards must be in place to ensure that she is free from such pressure. An advocate, such as a General Practitioner (GP), social worker, or independent advocate, may be helpful. If a girl under the age of 16 has sufficient understanding and intelligence to comprehend fully what is proposed, including the consequences of the action, she is competent to consent to her own medical or surgical treatment.’ It is for the registered medical practitioner who first interviews the girl to assess her capacity to consent to the treatment before it is provided. That practitioner is also responsible for ensuring that all other health staff who will be involved in the care of the girl know and accept the decision. The doctor must also ensure that all staff are aware of the extent to which the girl is willing for her treatment to be disclosed to parents, relatives, friends, social workers or her general practitioner. GMC guidance of 1999° and circular HC(FP)(86)1 refers. «Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Health Authority [1985] 3 AER 402 ° Seeking Patient’s Consent: The ethical considerations. General Medical Council 1999