Accessing Care for Your Child
We understand that co-parenting can be challenging, and our aim is to support you and your child by making the process of accessing healthcare clear and fair for everyone. This page explains how appointments, medical records, consent and communication are managed when parents are separated.
Working Together in Your Child’s Best Interests
To provide safe and consistent care, we ask separated parents to:
Avoid booking duplicate appointments
Communicate respectfully with our staff
Keep each other informed about requests, appointments and decisions
Understand that the surgery cannot take sides, mediate disagreements or withhold appropriate information from a parent who has parental responsibility
Our focus is always on your child’s wellbeing, and cooperative communication helps us deliver the best care possible.
Parental Responsibility
Parents or carers with parental responsibility have legal rights and duties relating to their child’s healthcare.
What this means in practice
Either parent with parental responsibility may request medical information or book an appointment for their child.
Evidence of parental responsibility (e.g., birth certificate or court order) may be requested.
Where appropriate, we may grant proxy online access to a child’s medical record to a parent with parental responsibility.
Proxy Access
Before approving access, the surgery may need to check:
ID for both parent and child
Documents confirming parental responsibility
Contact details for both parents
Safeguarding considerations
For children aged 11+, whether the child can consent to their parent seeing their records
Further guidance is available by searching “Parent and guardian proxy access for children – NHS”.
Sharing Medical Records
Where appropriate and in the child’s best interests, a parent with parental responsibility may receive copies of their child’s medical records.
A child’s views may be considered if they are mature enough to understand.
Third-party information may be removed (redacted).
Although there is no legal requirement to notify the other parent, keeping each other informed promotes transparency and reduces conflict.
Appointments and Healthcare Decisions
Day-to-Day Decisions
Routine matters (e.g., minor illnesses, diet, routines) can be managed by the parent caring for the child at that time.
Major Decisions
Important medical decisions must be discussed and agreed between both parents, such as:
Operations or procedures
Significant treatments
Long-term therapies
Vaccinations
Mental health interventions
If you disagree, the surgery cannot decide for you. The parent disputing the decision must seek legal advice or apply to court.
During Appointments
It is the responsibility of the parent attending the appointment to:
Share relevant updates with the other parent
Inform them of planned appointments
Ensure both parties remain aware of the child’s care
Consent for Vaccinations
Vaccinations require informed consent from someone with parental responsibility.
If parents disagree, the vaccination will not be given until the issue is resolved legally.
We cannot take sides or proceed based on one parent’s wishes over the other.
Older children may be able to give consent themselves if they have sufficient understanding (known as “Gillick competence”).
Helpful Tips to Avoid Misunderstandings
When contacting the surgery, please:
Confirm parental responsibility if asked
Be clear and specific in your request
Inform the other parent of requests, appointments or updates
Avoid asking us to keep information secret from the other parent (we cannot do this)
Consider the child’s views if they are old enough to understand
Keep a personal record of what you have shared or agreed
This approach helps keep care consistent, reduces confusion, and ensures both parents remain informed and involved.
We’re Here to Support You
We recognise that separation can be a difficult time for families. Our team is here to help guide you through the process and ensure your child receives safe, coordinated care.
If you need advice or have questions about anything on this page, please get in touch with our reception or administrative team.
