| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

M

Medical card

You need to be registered with a doctor, who is usually known as a GP (General Practitioner). When you first register, you should be issued with a medical card, which will state the name of your doctor and your National Health Service Number (known as your NHS number). Your parent(s) or carer(s) will have your medical card, which you might need for visits to the hospital or clinics. If you are over 16 years old you can have your own card.

When you change doctors you should be given a new card stating your new doctor’s name but your NHS number will stay the same throughout your life.

Medicals and medical treatment

When you are first looked after by Plymouth City Council:

• you will have a medical examination. This will find out whether you need any special health care, if you have moved care placements within the last three months this may not be necessary, you will have a further medical yearly.
• if you are under 16, your parents will usually have signed an agreement enabling a yearly medical to be done.
• if you feel strongly that you do not wish to have a medical, ask to talk to a doctor. They will explain what happens and what the benefits of having a medical are.
• if you are 16 or over you can decide whether or not to have a medical.
• you should have the right to request a male or female doctor.
• sometimes if a child needs an operation and the parents do not give consent - we may decide to ask the courts to make a decision. The court will listen to everybody before making a decision.