1.2.5 Communicates effectively with any other appropriate person involved in the care of the patient.

What is the legal and ethical basis for communicating with parents or guardians of a child?

• Children may lack legal capacity to consent

• Parents/guardians must be informed of:

  • Findings

  • Management

  • Risks

  • Follow-up

What is the practical communication approach when communicating with parents or guardians of a child?

• Address the child first, age-appropriately

• Include parent/guardian naturally

• Use simple explanations

• Encourage questions

What should documentation include when recording advice and management?

• Who was communicated with

• What was discussed

• Advice given

• Management plan

• Questions or concerns raised

• Consent where relevant

What is an example of documenting communication with a parent or guardian?

“Findings and management discussed with patient’s mother. Advice regarding spectacle wear and follow-up explained and understood.”

What is Gillick Competence, and what should be considered when involving parents?

• “The nature of consent which a minor can give to medical treatment”

• A child biomes increasingly independent as he or she grows older and parental authority to make decisions for the child dwindles correspondingly.

• without obtaining parental consent.

• Gives practitioner protection against unfounded allegations of inappropriate conduct

• Still good practice to involve parents unless inappropriate