Evan Urquhart

I don't know the system in the UK, are children barred from recieving most medical treatments? For instance, can they be prescribed anti-depressants even though there's a risk of permanent negative effects such as weight gain?

No, you can’t prescribe anti-depressants to children under 18. (I recently learned this!)

Well then it sounds like the standards are consistent.

Perhaps things have changed since 2017? I don’t practice in England, so I can’t say for sure, but this came up recently in the discussion about puberty blockers.

Its was acknowledged (too late) that antidepressants work differently in adolescents than adults and a disproportionate number of teens on anti-Ds were experiencing much worse MH issues, including suicide. Teens aren't just small adults-we have to be more careful.

But Gillick competence doesnt come in?

Gillick is for when there is a clear treatment pathway that has well-understood benefits and potential downsides. Children were being given treatment when it wasn't understood what the effects were, which impacts whether informed consent can be given.