Youth Access

Information Sharing Press Release

24 May, 2005

Information sharing could deter young people from seeking help

Press Release from Catherine Evans at Brook Centres

13 January 2005

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."

Media enquiries: Catherine Evans, Brook Centre 020 7284 6047 Catherinee@brookcentres.org.uk

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