Fraser Guidelines

Question 1

What are the Fraser Guidelines?

Answer 1

They are guidelines are used to assess if patient who has not yet reached 16 years of age is competent to consent to treatment.

With Fraser it was specifically with respect to contraception but the principles can be used for any treatment.

Question 2

What are the main points of the Fraser Guidelines?

Answer 2

• The young person understands the professional’s advice
• The young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents or allow the professional to contact them on their behalf
• The young person is likely to begin, or continue having, sexual intercourse with or without contraceptive treatment
• Unless the young person receives contraceptive treatment, their physical or mental health, or both, is likely to suffer
• The young person’s best interests require them to receive contraceptive advice or treatment with or without parental consent