Background

Sarah is 15. She attends the GP surgery alone requesting the contraceptive pill. She is in a relationship with her boyfriend, Paul. Sarah tells Dr Newell that they’re sexually active.

Sarah explains that she and Paul have discussed contraception and that she wants to avoid pregnancy. She understands how the contraceptive pill works and that condoms should still be used for protection against sexually transmitted infections, but feels condoms aren’t reliable and wants additional protection.

Sarah tells Dr Newell that she hasn’t told her parents about the appointment and doesn’t want them to know. She believes they would not support her decision as they still see her as their ‘little girl’. She also explains that her parents do not like Paul. Dr Newell sensitively tries to find out more about why Sarah’s parents don’t like Paul. Sarah explains that he’s quite a bit older than her, he’s 19, and her parents feel he’s a bad influence. Sarah says to Dr Newell that her parents are just being difficult and can’t see how much she and Paul love each other.