Monday’s Daily Telegraph reported that school girls as young as 13 are being given contraceptive injections and implants during lunch-breaks without their parents’ knowledge.  School nurses have given implants or jabs to girls aged between 13 and 16 more than 900 times in the past two years, a survey by The Telegraph has found. Girls aged 13 have been given contraceptive jabs and implants on more than 20 occasions.  A further 7,400 girls aged 15 and under have been given contraceptive injections or implants at family planning clinics.

Foetus in the womb

From 1 April 2013, public health employees will be transferred to their local councils and contraception policy will be determined by elected members and not by invisible health officials. I suspect this may prove more difficult than many councillors presently imagine.  I have no parental responsibilities so I reflect on this issue from a distance but I think parents are entitled to be outraged to learn that a school nurse or some other NHS employee has provided contraception to a daughter without their parent’s consent.  Surely, a parent remains in control of their children’s care and moral position?  Surely, parents are entitled to be informed of decisions being taken about their children on their behalf?  I think they are and any other approach will weaken social responsibility and respect for our democratic institutions.