‘If they want to they will’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33611, 13 August 1974, Page 6

‘If they want to they will’

rN.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent!

LONDON. If a mother discovers that her 15-year-old daughter is on the pill she can at least be grateful that the girl will not be joining the growing number of under-16s in Britain who have babies or abortions. In 1972. 15,000 schoolgirls had babies and another 3000 abortions. How many miscarried or were lucky, noone knows. “If a girl wants to sieep with her boyfriend she will,” said a spokesman from the Family Planning Association, which has 950 clinics throughout Britain. “Refusing her contraceptives won’t deter her.”

Over the last 10 years it has become progressively easier for young single girls to get contraceptives in Britain. And if any family planning groups or doctors

have been worried about the ethics of catering for this group, the Social Services Secretary (Mrs Barbara Castle) has given clear guidance. “Family planning should be free for all who ask for it, irrespective of age or marital status,” she has said. ‘CLINICAL JUDGMENT’ Her department recently told doctors and clinics that prescribing contraceptives for the “lower age groups” was “a matter for the clinical judgment of the doctor in respect of his patient.” Thus, since April of this year, all National Health family planning clinics — there are 1700 in England alone — and officially recognised voluntary bodies have been giving a free service to all seeking it. The British Medical Association will not agree to the free service until the Government pays a special fee per patient, to compensate for the loss of private work. A

fee of about $2.83. recommended by an independent review body, was rejected by the doctors and the stalemate continues. CONSENT SOUGHT The B.M.A. is more flexible on the subject of contraceptives for the under 16s. “Generally speaking,” said a spokesman, “it is a doctor’s duty to adhere to the rule of professional secrecy. But if the patient is under age he should act with the consent of the parent or legal guardian." The Medical Defence Union, which represents doctors, takes a bolder line. “A minor is not breaking any law in going to a clinic for birth control supplies,” said a spokesman, “nor is a' doctor breaking any law ini supplying his needs.” But, like the 8.M.A., the: union advises doctors to try! to get the patient’s consent to tell the parents — although it emphasises that the child should have the final say.