Health information and privacy
The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network collects your child’s health information so we can provide them with safe and appropriate care, treatment, and advice.
We follow strict government standards to safeguard the privacy of patients' health information in all formats. We regularly enhance and audit our systems to protect confidential information from unauthorised access, loss or other misuse.
Young people and decision-making
Young people are able to make decisions about their health if medical staff think they are mature enough to fully understand their health problems and the treatment options. There is no fixed age for this, but it is usually about 14 years of age.
In most circumstances, medical staff will encourage young people to involve their parent or carer. Children aged 16 years and over have the right to ask for their information independently.
Read the 'We keep it zipped' health care confidentiality factsheet for young people aged 12 to 24.