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Download this information as a PDF

You can get this information as a printed leaflet from:

  • GP and dentist surgeries, hospitals and anywhere you get health care
  • your local NHS board
  • the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88

Or you can download a copy of the factsheet as a PDF, or browse specific sections of the leaflet using the links in the left hand menu bar.


You can ask for this information in another language or format:

Email ask@hris.org.uk


Production information 

We have tried our best to make sure that everything in this leaflet is right, but we cannot tell you everything about the law in such a short leaflet. If you have any questions about the law, you can also ask an expert like a lawyer, someone at a citizens advice bureau, or at the Scottish Child Law Centre.

Produced by Health Rights Information Scotland, a project of the Consumer Focus Scotland, for the Scottish Government Health Directorates.

Version 1
Produced in August 2008
Revision date August 2010

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Page last edited: 29 April 2010