Right of inspection of files

The regulations that apply with respect to right of inspection and the different ages:

Younger than 12 years of age: If the child is younger than 12 years old, the authoritative parent/parents has/have full right of access to their child’s file.

Between 12 and 16 years of age: Both the authoritative parent/parents and the child have access to the file. A child may object to access by parents. If the caregiver feels that the child is able to decide about this, he/she will not allow access to the parents, if this is in the child's best interests.

Young people of 16 years or older are, according to the law, increasingly considered to be able to make decisions independently. Thus, they must authorize treatments themselves and healthcare workers are bound by professional confidentiality with respect to their parents/representatives. Exception to this is when the young person 'is not able to make a reasonable appraisal of his own interests.'