Young People’s Services

Accessing care for young people aged 13–16-year-olds

Are you aged 13 years or older and have your own mobile number? Please speak to Reception and update your number.

 At Harford Health centre, we thrive in ensuring we take good care of you and your child.

There are times, young people aged 13- and 16-years old, who like to come to the doctor with their family. We think that’s good however, at times, young people need to talk to an adult they can trust without their family knowing.

We understand this may worry parents however, it’s essential to know we are here to help young people and keep their conversations confidential.

When young people turn 14, they can access their own healthcare records using the NHS app.

Here is a summary of key points from the National General Medical Council about young people’s rights in the NHS, for you to better understand. The link for the GMC website is  GMC's website

  1. We can see children and young people by themselves if they want to. It's important that they know they can come to us for help. We don't want to give them the idea that they can't come to us without a parent, so we'll make sure our reception staff and everyone else knows that too.
  2. It's important to keep patient information private, whether they are children, young people, or adults. If patients don't trust that we will keep their information private, they might not come to us for help or they might not tell us everything we need to know to take care of them properly.

We only share patient information without their permission in very rare cases. Patients have the right to know if their information is going to be shared.

  1. If young people can understand things and make their own decisions, they have the right to see their own medical records. They can also decide if they want their parents to see their records or not.

Parents can only see their child's medical records if the child agrees or if the child is not able to make their own decisions and it is in their best interest. If the records have information that the young person told us in private, we usually can't tell anyone else without their permission.

 Online care records access

Parents are allowed access to their child’s online care records with the consent of the young person. Access will be removed for those aged between 11-16 years old, unless there are concerns about their capacity.

 Additional Information

Below are links to additional resources with more information on young people's rights and health support in Tower Hamlets.

If you would like to discuss any of the above then please email us at harfordhealthcentre@nhs.net, please do not use this email to submit any medical queries, instead submit the online form via patient triage.

Health Spot

Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies 020 8475 8080

This is a free confidential psychology and counselling service that can offer help and support with a range of common mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, emotional issues, eating disorders, pre-birth and postnatal issues, relationship issues, employment issues, bereavement, etc. It offers psychological interventions to people with long-term conditions and those adjusting to a change in their life such as a medical diagnosis, disability, unemployment, retirement, or family circumstances.

You can refer yourself directly by phone or via the website: www.towerhamletstalkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Come Correct

The C-Card is for young people to access FREE condoms in a variety of locations (called Outlets) across London. Once registered you can collect condoms or get advice from any Outlet displaying the Come Correct logo.

The C-Card scheme is easy, free and confidential.

For more information on Come Correct please click here

Youth Rights in Health Care