The BMA believes the High Court has made the right decision today in rejecting Sue Axon's Judicial Review which challenged the Department of Health's guidance for providing confidential abortion services for girls under 16.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics said:

"Doctors always encourage young people to involve their parents in important decisions, and research shows that the majority of young people do so. If, in exceptional cases, they cannot talk to their parents then doctors try to give them the confidence to talk to another responsible adult who may be able to support them.

"If young people do not feel they can talk to their parents or another adult, then their decisions should normally be respected and they should have access to impartial and confidential medical advice."

http://www.bma.org.uk