A poster informing young people of their rights when visiting a doctor has been launched today. The poster was designed by a group of young people aged between 13 and 15 years, as part of a project commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC) in partnership with Children in Wales and the National Children's Bureau in England.
The young people from Wales and across the UK produced the final design with the help of a professional designer after reviewing key messages from the GMC's 0-18 years: guidance for all doctors. That guidance sets out doctors' responsibilities to act always in the best interests of children and young people, to listen to them and to involve them in decisions that affect them.
John Jenkins, Chairman of the GMC Standards and Ethics Committee that produced the 0-18 years: guidance for all doctors, said: 'We have worked with partners across the UK to help spread the message that young people are individuals with rights that should be respected. A poster designed by young people for young people should help explain what they can expect from their doctors and how they can help them to provide care in a way that is relevant to them.'
Sean O'Neill, Policy Director, Children in Wales said: 'This was an exciting project that we were very keen to support and be a part of. The rights of young people in relation to their health care have been an issue raised by many Welsh young people and this poster, alongside the existing guidance, should help to enhance relations between doctors and young people.'
Copies of the poster are available to download from www.gmc-uk.org/children or please contact Children in Wales at info@childreninwales.org.uk.