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<p>There is no defined minimum age for the ability to access, and prevent others accessing,
medical records. Young people, provided they have capacity, have the legal right to
access their own health records and can allow or prevent access by others, including
their parents. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland anyone aged 16, and in Scotland
those aged 12 or over, are legally presumed to already have such capacity. Those under
that age must demonstrate they have sufficient understanding of what is proposed.
A child may achieve capacity earlier or later. In any event children should be able
to access their own health records but they should not be given access to information
that would cause them serious harm.</p><p>Parents should be allowed access to their
child’s medical records if the child or young person consents, or lacks capacity,
and it does not go against the child’s best interests. If the records contain information
given by the child or young person in confidence, this information should not normally
be disclosed without their consent.</p><p> </p>
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