Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, raised the decision of the Isle of Wight NHS, to make the contraceptive pill to girls as young as 13, during Health Questions in the Commons this afternoon. He said :
“On the Isle of Wight the local NHS has decided that contraceptive pills may be given to girls as young as 13. Their parents and even their GPs aren’t involved. Nowhere else, I am told, shares this approach. Many of my constituents are horrified.”
He asked the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley MP, for his views on the situation, who told him:
“These were decisions made locally and indeed we do support local decision-making. We are going to make sure that issues of that kind are taken not only in the health service but alongside local authorities as part of their public health function. It is important that one is clear that a young person is competent to make those decisions. Subject to that, however, we always are clear that patients have a right themselves to access healthcare on their own cognisance if they are competent to do so.”
Mr Turner said this afternoon that he felt the response was unsatisfactory:
“By supplying the contraceptive pill to underage girls it can be argued that the NHS is condoning an illegal act. The Director of Public Health Jenifer Smith has said “it is not for the health service to moralise on the rights and wrongs of underage sex” but she appears to think it is appropriate to introduce this service, uniquely on the Isle of Wight, without any reference to, or consultation with local people. I urge the Isle of Wight NHS to halt the introduction of this scheme and hold a full consultation with the local residents they are employed to serve rather than impose such decisions on the Island community.”
END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
