Information sharing could deter young people from seeking help, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 13 Jan 2005 - 14:00 PDT


Sharing information about young people's use of sensitive services such as sexual health could deter young people from seeking help when they need it most, sexual health charity Brook warned today.

Brook's view is backed by several other influential organisations representing young people, which are all urging the Government to rethink the proposals set out in its consultation on information sharing databases. Brook, the British Youth Council, the National Youth Agency, the UK Youth Parliament, and Youth Access all believe that information on the use of sensitive services should only be shared between practitioners where it is absolutely necessary to protect a young person.

Jan Barlow, Chief Executive of Brook, said:

"We know that confidentiality is one of the main concerns of young people using sexual health services, particularly those under the age of 16. Almost all the young people we asked about these proposals said they would be less likely to use services like ours if they knew their details would be recorded on a database.

"There is a real risk that proposals intended to protect young people from harm actually end up having the opposite effect if young people are deterred from seeking help when they need it most.

"Removing the right to confidentiality is also potentially a breach of young people's human rights."

One option set out in the consultation is that information should only be recorded on the database with a young person's consent. However, Brook has major reservations as to how far consent would always be explicitly sought. There is also a danger that young people may not always be assertive enough to refuse consent or may not even realise that they have the right to do so.

Brook asked users of its online service and visitors to some of its Centres what they thought about these proposals. Below are examples of comments made by young people who said they would be less likely to use services if their details were recorded:

"Going to these clinics is private and personal and you talk to these people in confidence."

"Most young people use the service because it is confidential, free and you don't get judged. However the database means breaking that confidentiality, which a number of people would feel uncomfortable about, therefore not using the services already provided for them."

"I feel it infringes privacy. It infringes the 'Doctor/Patient' relationship."

"Because sexual health is a private matter and I would only want people I chose to tell to know and perhaps my doctor."

Notes to editors

1. The Government's consultation 'Information Sharing Databases in Children's Services: consultation on recording practitioner details for potentially sensitive services and recording concern about a child or young person' closes on 19 January 2005.

2. A briefing on the issues raised by this consultation is available from Brook's press office.

3. Brook is the country's leading provider of free, confidential sexual health advice and contraception to young people under 25. The charity has 40 years' experience of providing impartial and confidential sexual health advice and services to young people through a national network of 17 centres across the UK. Each year Brook provides more than 100,000 young people with professional advice from specially trained doctors, nurses, counsellors and outreach and information workers.

4. Young people can call Brook free and in confidence on 0800 0185 023, or by online enquiry via Ask Brook at http://www.brook.org.uk

5. Youth Access is the national membership organisation for young people's information, advice, counselling and support services. It believes all young people have a right to locally accessible, free and impartial information, advice, counselling and support. Contact details: 020 8772 9900 or visit http://www.youthaccess.org.uk

6. The National Youth Agency aims to advance youth work to promote young people's personal and social development, and their voice, influence and place in society. Contact details: Alex Stutz, tel 0116 242 7466 or visit http://www.nya.org.uk

7. The UK Youth Parliament is an independent national charity which receives the support of over 300 MPs from across the political spectrum and the personal endorsement of the three party leaders. Media enquiries to: press@ukyouthparliament.org.uk

8. The British Youth Council is a charity run by young people for young people. As the national youth council it represents and involves a unique range of young people from over 180 organisations and a network of over 450 youth councils across the UK. Contact details: Emily Chissell, tel 0845 458 1489 http://www.byc.org.uk

Catherine Evans
Head of Communications
Brook
421 Highgate Studios
53-79 Highgate Road
London NW5 1TL
Tel: 020 7284 6047
Fax: 020 7284 6050
http://www.brook.org.uk
Brook
Putting young people first

• Additional
• References
• Citations