The BMA is reporting a surge in telephone calls from doctors who are confused about new guidance that compels health professionals to report evidence of under age sexual activity to social workers and the police. Doctors are concerned that new guidance, already in use in some areas, does away with a child's right to confidential sexual health advice and could lead to an increase in under age pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

A number of area child protection committees have issued protocols, including the London Child Protection Committee, which covers all London boroughs, and Sheffield City Council. In parallel, the government is examining proposals to change the current national child protection guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and compel health professionals to report all sexual activity in under …