Abolish the Gillick Competence legislation.

Rejected 12 signatures

What the petition asks

The Gillick Competence Test was introduced to allow children under the age of 16 to consent to being prescribed contraceptions. However, it can be used for children to consent to other medication or medical interventions without their parents´ knowledge or consent; that is dangerous and wrong.

Access to contraception for minors, if ministers wish it, requires specific legislation for it only. Contraception is taken to voluntarily to alter a natural bodily function; medicines, vaccines and other treatments or interventions prevent involuntary illness from a malfunction of the body or protect it from foreign elements e.g. bacteria, viruses, irritants etc. Minors may not understand issues surrounding treatment, such as need for, risk, being in trial phases etc.; parents must be involved.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We understand that you are concerned about children under 16 being able to consent to certain medical treatment, but we're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do. The Gillick competence test applies as a result of case law, and is not set out in legislation.

We could accept a petition calling on the Government to require parental consent for all medical treatment for children aged under 16, if that's what you want to happen.

Timeline

20 Aug 2021	Petition opened for signatures
24 Aug 2021	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 12

Status Rejected

Rejected 24 Aug 2021

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