Do Child Minding Grandparents have a letter of authority?

Oopsadaisy1

But do you have the authority to get them treatment as an adult who isn’t their parent, there or at a Hospital?

Only the parents have PR to consent to healthcare ....a letter does not give you consent....it enables the parent to give consent for a GP to take them to an appointment.....in an emergency situation , any decision would be made by doctor in the child's best interest.

I've had to take mine to doctors appointments and minor injuries units when they have been in my care and never had a problem. The only time I've been asked for additional authority (they phoned my daughter) was when I took one for his immunisations.

Never had that and when grandson had an accident other grandad went in the ambulance with no problem.

I used to have my GS for some weekends when he was a baby. My DD was abroad. I would have called an ambulance if I thought he was very ill and asked for help some other way if it was not serious.
Thankfully he was always well when he stayed.

It is a good idea, though I've never had one for the GC. It would be reassuring to have one 'just in case'.

I have taken them both to various medical appointments and GD to A and E once. I was asked 'Do her parents know she's here?' I said yes and that was that!

If it was an emergency it would be A&E or the walk in clinic and I am sure they would be treated. GP would require an appointment so I'd notify the parent and they could decide if they wanted me to take the child or not. They might prefer to see their own doctor who knows the child's history.

If one needed urgent treatment at A & E and a parent wasn’t available I wouldn’t think twice about taking them.

Are you assuming that unless there was a letter of authority that a GC wouldn’t be treated?

I am not a legal expert, and I must admit I have never considered this.

My children were often with my mother in
a different country without any letter of authority equally she often stayed at my home and I went away.

Oopsadaisy1

But do you have the authority to get them treatment as an adult who isn’t their parent, there or at a Hospital?

It’s never been questioned when I have taken them to doctors appointments. I have taken two of them to their optician appointments.

MzOops lived in London, now down in Cornwall and one holiday they went to a wedding in South America, so no chance of them meeting us anywhere! It was whilst they were at the wedding that LittleMissOops had an awful ear infection.

Sorry that was for GG

But do you have the authority to get them treatment as an adult who isn’t their parent, there or at a Hospital?

At the moment it’s only day care and occasional sleepovers for the 4 year old where the parents are always available but it’s a really good point if parents are far away or if I take the kids on holiday in the future

No only had to get signed form when DGS2 got flu drops. They know me at the surgery as I worked there and he is in the same GP Practice. Had to take DGD to her practice once and she was poorly - gets wheeze related to coughs but DD had phoned to get the appt and told them. Ended up meeting DD at children's hospital. It's a good idea though.

Never have, but 5 of our GC are at the same GP practice as we are. (AC have been with GP practice since birth)

The others were at the same practice until recently.