Young Persons

Can I see my doctor by myself?

Yes. There is no reason why you can’t ask to see the doctor by yourself. They might
want to find out why and might encourage you to tell your parent or carer, but should
respect your wishes if you don’t want to.

What age can I visit a doctor?

You can visit your doctor at any age, about any issue.

Do I have to be sick if I want to see them?

No. You can see your doctor whenever you like if something is bothering you,
whether you are feeling unwell or not.

Sometimes just talking to your doctor can help you feel better, and they may be able
to give you help that you didn’t know about.

How do I get a GP?

If you’re over the age of 16, you can join with a GP by yourself. We will ask you
to fill in a registration form and ask to see proof of identity such as a passport or
proof of address such as a mobile phone bill.

If you’re under the age of 16, your parents or carers should join you.

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment by calling us on 01273 834388 and speaking to the
receptionist or visiting us in person. The receptionist will ask you who the
appointment is for and why. This is to make sure that you see the right person at the
right time.
If it’s something personal then you don’t have to tell them why – just say it’s for
something personal. You can also ask to see a male or female doctor.

If I tell my doctor something private, will they tell anyone else?

No. Anything you say to your doctor must be kept between you guys, unless you
agree otherwise. It might help to ask if they are going to tell anyone just to make
sure. If they do, then they should ideally ask your permission first, unless you are in
danger or at risk of harm.

They might encourage you to tell others (like your parent or carer) yourself, or they
can speak to them on your behalf if you would prefer that. This is because
sometimes it’s important for those looking after you to know what’s going on, as they
may be able to help or support you.

The only time a doctor can speak to someone else about you without your
permission is when there is a danger that your safety or someone else’s safety might
be at risk. That doesn’t automatically mean that they tell your parent or carer, but
they may want to speak to other people like the Police or Social Services. In these
cases, they should tell you first if possible so that you know what’s going on.
Remember, the only reason doctors usually speak to others is when they are worried
about you, and always have your best interests at heart.

What happens if I don’t like my doctor?

All our doctors are great at their job and care about their patients a lot.
However, there are times when people either don’t get on with or feel uncomfortable
with their doctor. In those cases, you can always ask to see someone else. You may
not be able to do this straight away and might have to wait for another appointment,
so it’s better to say as early as possible (ideally when you’re booking the
appointment).

If you’re not happy with your care or treatment, you can make a complaint.

And finally ………… thinking about going to University?

It’s a good idea to have a Men ACWY vaccination before you go. This will protect
you against four types of meningitis; Men A, Men C, Men W and Men Y. You will
have had vaccination against Men C when you were little but this is a booster to
ensure immunity in new environments. Illnesses can thrive in places where there
are lots of people. The Men ACWY vaccination is aimed at all freshers aged
17-18.

More Info

Did you know you can request a male or female GP? You can also be seen on your own, with a friend or with a parent or carer – you decide. We also have evening appointments available.

To book an appointment call our hub number on 01273 834388. Young people aged 11-16 years can also sign up to online services with our receptionists and book in online if a doctor authorises this.

BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT

Please see here for more information.

CONFIDENTIALITY

We provide a confidential service to all our patients, including under 16’s. This means that what we discuss in each appointment stays private, including from your parent or guardian, unless you choose to tell them. We only break confidentiality if we are concerned you are in danger and we would always try and talk to you first about this.

We only pass on personal information to other health professionals in the interests of your health.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Everyone struggles coping with their feelings sometimes. It’s important to look after your emotional health as well as your physical health. If you’re struggling with low mood, feeling anxious or stressed, please book in to discuss with one of our GPs or you can self-refer to our Youth Emotional Support service. 

Here are some useful websites that may help also:

Doc Ready – it can be difficult to talk to people for the first time about your mental health. This website helps you build a checklist of what to discuss with the GP. 

YouTube link to Chat Health text service for 5-19yrs

Young Minds – Advice and support for people with young persons with mental health problems

Calm Harm – An app to help with self-harm

Childline Exam Stress and Pressure – Advice if you’re feeling stressed about exams

Teenage Health Freak – Advice on a wide variety of health problems that may affect teenagers

Sexwise – advice about sexually transmitted infections, contraception and pregnancy

Talk to Frank – Information about drugs and addiction