Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Raise the age when children take control of their own health care and treatments
Open for signatures
51 signatures
What the petition asks
Currently, people aged 16 or over are entitled to consent to their own treatment and can make decisions on treatments without parental involvement. This can only be overruled in exceptional circumstances.
I would like this age raised to 18 or at least give parent and children joint control.
I would like this age raised to 18 or at least give parent and children joint control.
Like adults, young people (aged 16/17) are presumed to have sufficient capacity to decide on their own medical treatment, unless there's significant evidence to suggest otherwise.
However, I believe that this could be too much pressure on the young person given the pressures that are already on them, including GCSEs & leaving school.
Young people that have additional medical issues may find it extremely difficult to take over control of prescriptions and appointments on top of these pressures
However, I believe that this could be too much pressure on the young person given the pressures that are already on them, including GCSEs & leaving school.
Young people that have additional medical issues may find it extremely difficult to take over control of prescriptions and appointments on top of these pressures
Timeline
| 10 Apr 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
51
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
10 Apr 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.