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NZMA against confidentiality law change for pregnant teens

Author
Alex Mason,
Publish Date
Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 2:31PM
(SXC)
(SXC)

NZMA against confidentiality law change for pregnant teens

Author
Alex Mason,
Publish Date
Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 2:31PM

The Medical Association's not in favour of changing patient confidentiality rules around pregnant teens.

A petition before Parliament is asking that the law be changed, so parents of girls under the age of 16 are informed before their child is referred for any other procedure - such as a termination.

New Zealand Medical Association Chair Dr Stephen Child is of the view the balance is right under existing laws, and that informed consent doesn't hinge on chronological age.

"There is not a magical, chronological age in which the day after your birthday you are able to make decisions and the day before you are not able to make decisions," he says.

 

 

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