A 15-year-old girl asks to speak privately about the morning-after pill. What is the first most appropriate consideration?

• A. Establishing if she's Gillick Competent.
• B. Checking parental consent status.
• C. Verifying age.
• D. Ensuring guardians consent.

Answer: (A)

In minors, the first step is to assess their capacity to consent to medical treatment. The most appropriate initial consideration here is whether she has Gillick competence to decide about the morning-after pill without involving her parents. Gillick competence means she can understand the information about the treatment, appreciate the consequences, and make a voluntary, informed decision. If she demonstrates this capacity, she can consent herself and her confidentiality should be respected. Age alone isn’t the sole determinant, and parental or guardian consent isn’t required when competence is established. If she isn’t considered Gillick competent, you would then involve a parent or guardian and proceed in her best interests.