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GPs

You can talk to your doctor for confidential infomation and advice (even if you're under 16) about contraception and sexual health including STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, free emergency contraception and condoms. If you're worried about confidentiality, talk to your doctor.

Search HERE for your nearest doctors surgery or young people's service.  

Top tips for talking to your doctor

Your doctor can offer you confidential advice on any health topic. Even if you're under 16, doctors still have to keep anything you tell them private. In exceptional circumstances, like when a doctor or health worker thinks you might be in serious danger, they might feel there is a need to pass information on but, even if they do, they must talk to you first before they tell anyone else. This applies to everyone, no matter what age you are.

1) If you are still worried about confidentiality you can always call your doctor's surgery without telling them who you are and ask them some questions, like:

  • Is the information that I give you kept confidential?
  • Do you ever tell anyone else about young people who ask for contraception or advice about sex?
  • Would you ever tell anyone else about my visit without telling me first?

2) If you're worried about explaining your concerns, write down a list of symptoms, medications you take, and questions you have before the appointment. You can then take this with you to help.

3) If you are nervous ask a friend or family member to come with you for support.

4) Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand. If you're not sure you could say ‘Can I just check I understood what you said?'

5) Before you leave, you could ask who to contact if you have any more problems or questions.

6) Why not ask for a leaflet, written information or a website to help you understand further.

7) If you need tests you could ask:

  • What are the test for?
  • How and when will I get the results?
  • Who do I contact if I don't get the results?

Information taken from www.brook.org.uk and ‘Questions to ask' NHS 2007