Childrens’ lives at risk as doctors and dentists ignore the law

 

• Families Need Fathers (FNF) survey finds dramatic failings in medical professionals’ understanding of the law.

 

• FNF calls for increased awareness of Non-Resident Parents’ right to information concerning all aspects of their childrens’ welfare.

 

"As the mother, I was not even informed when my daughter was admitted to hospital in a near diabetic coma."

 
“No doctor ever agreed to speak to me about my children, even when abuse by their alcoholic mother was evident.”

 

These are just two of many shocking statements received as part of FNF research into the experiences of separated parents when trying to support their children. The survey has confirmed the sub-standard levels of communication with parents who live apart from their children from the doctors and dentists who treat those children. The children’s welfare is clearly not being given priority when one of their parents is denied the opportunity to be involved in such important aspects of their lives. This could have serious implications in many cases; that of hereditary illness, for instance.

 

The survey revealed the disturbing reality that 84% of ‘Non-Resident Parents’ do not feel that they are kept sufficiently informed by these professionals, and this despite 77% of them having fought for further involvement.

 

These revelations are born largely out of lack of awareness on the part of the medical and dental services of the equal status which Parental Responsibility confers on all parents, whether they live with or apart from their children; both parents should be kept equally informed.

 

John Baker, FNF Chair said, “Many parents who live apart from their children battle to be kept informed by doctors and dentists about their children’s well-being. This is totally unacceptable when the law states that it should be otherwise, but more importantly when a concerned and loving parent’s input into their child’s life is wasted.”

 

“FNF calls for wider recognition that both parents must be kept in the picture in all aspects of their children’s lives, as a matter of urgency, or it is the children who suffer,” he added.

                                                                                  

A snapshot of findings from the report of FNF’s research study The Things that Matter! Are you kept informed? Experiences with doctors and dentists can be found at the end of this release. The full report is on the FNF website at http://www.fnf.org.uk/publications-resources/research. Alternatively contact the office on 0207 613 5060.

 

-  ENDS -

 Note for editors: Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

 

For comment or information please contact:

Nick Barnard, Director of Communications 07979 206 384

John Baker, FNF Chair 07881 644 917

Jon Davies, FNF CEO 07976 935 986

Georgina Brereton, Policy & Information Officer 020 7613 5060

 

Please see Families Need Fathers ‘programme for change’ Father’s Day Manifesto at

http://www.fnf.org.uk/about-us/fathers-day-manifesto

 

 

Snapshot of findings from FNF Survey:

 

Do you feel that you are kept sufficiently involved and informed about your child(ren)’s medical and dental health?

 

§          84% of respondents said they did not feel that they were kept sufficiently involved and informed.

§         16% of respondents said they did feel that they were kept sufficiently involved and informed (each ‘Yes’ was accompanied by a comment that this was a result of fighting to be kept involved).

 

 

Have you pushed to be kept further informed?

 

§         77% said they had pushed to be kept further involved.

§         23% said they had not pushed to be kept further involved.

 

 

 

 

 

Note for professionals

 

Parental Responsibility (PR) confers equal status on both parents. Therefore, any Non-Resident Parent with PR should be dealt with by schools, doctors and dentists on an equal footing to the Resident Parent.  

 

PR is concept introduced by the Children Act 1989, and defined as “All the rights, duties, powers and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to a child and his property.”

 

In English law, with PR you are treated as the child’s parent by law, and your duties and rights which come with being responsible for your child are recognised. It endows a parent with legal rights to involvement in all decisions regarding a child’s life; where they live, their education, medical treatment and so on.

 

Both the child’s mother and father automatically have Parental Responsibility if they are married to each other at the time of the birth, which endures until the child reaches the age of 18 (unless ended by a court order). However, where the mother and father are not married at the time of the birth, generally the mother will have sole PR for the child. Since 1 December 2003, an unmarried father has automatic PR if he signs the birth register.