Constipation in children and young people: diagnosis and management

Person-centred care

In the NHS, patients and healthcare professionals have rights and responsibilities as set out in the NHS Constitution (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england). All NICE guidance is written to reflect these. Children and young people with constipation and their parents and carers (where appropriate) have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about treatment and care with the healthcare team. Their choices are important and healthcare professionals should support these wherever possible. All patients and their parents and carers should be treated with dignity and respect.

To help children and young people, and their parents and carers where appropriate, to make decisions, healthcare professionals should explain idiopathic constipation and the possible treatments for it. They should cover possible benefits and risks related to the personal circumstances of the child or young person. Children and young people, and their parents and carers, should be given relevant information that is suitable for them and reflects any religious, ethnic, or cultural needs they have. It should also take into account whether they have any physical or learning disability, sight or hearing problem or language difficulties. They should have access to an interpreter or advocate (someone who helps you put your views across) if needed.

If the child or young person is under 16, their parents or carers will need to agree to their treatment, unless it is clear that the child fully understands the treatment and can give consent.

When parents and carers are involved they should be able to discuss or review their child's care. As treatment progresses, or circumstances change, it is possible for children and young people (or, where appropriate, their parents and carers) to change their mind about treatment or care.

Healthcare professionals should follow the Department of Health's advice on consent (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reference-guide-to-consent-for-examination-or-treatment-second-edition) and the code of practice for the Mental Capacity Act. Information about the Act and consent issues is available from www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/legal. In Wales healthcare professionals should follow advice on consent from the Welsh Government (www.wales.nhs.uk/consent).

Care of young people who are moving from services for children to adult services should be planned according to guidance from the Department of Health ('Transition: getting it right for young people' available from http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4132145).

In an emergency, if the person with parental responsibility cannot be contacted, healthcare professionals may give treatment immediately when it is in the child or young person's best interests.