Turning 16?

Your care is confidential

Everything you discuss with a doctor or nurse is confidential — we will not share it with your parents or carers without your agreement. In fact, this usually applies before 16 too: in Scotland you can make your own healthcare decisions at any age if the clinician is satisfied you understand them. The only exception is if we believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, and even then we would normally talk to you first.

Your appointments

• You can book, change and cancel your own appointments
• You can come in alone, or bring anyone you like — parent, friend, partner. It is completely your choice
• You can ask for a specific GP, or to see someone of a particular gender — just ask when booking
• Nothing you ask about will be silly — doctors and nurses have heard it all before, and seeing us early is always better than worrying

Your online account

At 16 you can have your own Patient Services account for ordering repeat prescriptions and requesting appointments. If a parent previously managed things for you online, that access ends around your 16th birthday — this is automatic and protects your confidentiality.

Your contact details

We write to patients around their 16th birthday asking for their own mobile number and email address, so appointment reminders and results messages come to you rather than a parent. You can update your details at any time — see update your details.