Editorial: Confidentiality is critical to sexual health

The centrepiece of the guidance is the right for all those aged 13 and above to have confidentiality when visiting their GP. So young people up to three years below the age of consent have the right to discuss their sexual activity and seek advice without the knowledge of their parents.

This has triggered a predictable smattering of hysteria in some sections of the right-leaning press about the guidance riding roughshod over the rights of parents. But the guidance, which consulted teenagers in its formulation, treats the young thankfully as individuals on a par with adults.

The right to confidentiality is significant. About a quarter of under-16s who are sexually active are deterred from seeking medical advice from their doctor, according to sexual health charity Brook. The presence of parents can prevent them from being frank and asking for help. Although the ideal is that young people should feel comfortable discussing sexual matters with their parents, the right to confidentiality engages with the reality that many do not.

However, this right is not to be employed by GPs without exception. The guidance states that "parents cannot override the competent consent of a young person" for treatment the GP seems to be in the patient's best interest. But it is up to doctors to exercise their "duty of disclosure" to parents and other agencies in cases where in their judgment the need to protect the young person becomes paramount.

The arrival of the GMC's guidance marks a welcome coming-of-age of the medical community, which is traditionally perceived by plenty of young people as authoritative and intimidating. The real test of the guidance will be in its implementation and through word-of-mouth, where young people share their experiences of visiting their GP.

Many will continue to shy away from the GP surgery, preferring to discuss their sexual health with other professionals in alternative settings. This choice is in itself healthy.

While it is not a panacea for opening up health services to teenagers, the GMC guidance is a valuable contribution in the fight to combat the UK's current status as having one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and rising levels of sexually transmitted infections.