Medical Treatment: Decisions and the Law

4. Deciding for Others – Children

Co-authored by Rhys Hadden.

Contents

  • A Framework  4.1
  • B The child’s ability to give valid consent 4.2
  • General principle 4.2
  • Children of 16 years of age and over 4.3
  • The Family Law Reform Act 1969 4.3
  • Children aged 16–17 – capacity 4.4
  • Children under the age of 16 – Gillick competence  4.5
  • Bell v Tavistock  4.6
  • Who determines competence?  4.7
  • Gillick competence and best interests 4.8
  • C The child’s ability to refuse 4.9
  • A refusal by a minor of any age can be overridden by the court 4.10
  • Compulsory treatment and children’s rights 4.11
  • European Convention on Human Rights  4.11
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child  4.12
  • Re X (A Child) (No 2)  4.13
  • The refusal of a capacitous minor of 16–17 or a Gillick competent child cannot be overridden by the consent of a parent 4.14
  • Children under the age of 16 not possessing Gillick competence 4.15
  • D Parents and those with parental responsibility 4.16
  • Power to consent  4.16
  • Where parental consent is given but a court application may still be required 4.17
  • Disputes between parents  4.18
  • Disputes between parents and local authorities with parental responsibility   4.19
  • E Best interests  4.20
  • The court – and consideration of alternative dispute resolution 4.20
  • The approach to best interests 4.21
  • The key principles – Fixsler 4.22
  • The views of the minor 4.23
  • The views of parents 4.24
  • Parental rights 4.25
  • Legal challenges to the best interests test: Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans 4.26
  • Pippa Knight  4.27
  • Alta Fixsler  4.28
  • Cases where parental views have prevailed  4.29
  • Tafida Raqeeb 4.30
  • Participation of parents 4.31
  • F Further considerations  4.32
  • Treatment of very young children  4.32
  • Deliberate killing – the conjoined twins case 4.33
  • Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment 4.34
  • Withholding treatment 4.34
  • Withdrawing treatment  4.35
  • Providing treatment  4.36
  • Preservation of life: vitally important but not determinative  4.37
  • Pain 4.38
  • Dignity  4.39
  • Balance sheet  4.40
  • G Procedure  4.41
  • Practical tips  4.42
  • H Mental Health Act 1983 4.43
  • Admission to hospital 4.43
  • Young people aged 16–17 and Gillick competent children 4.43
  • Treatment 4.44
  • Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice 4.44
  • I Conclusion 4.45
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