Giving or refusing consent to medical care for your baby
Description of
the right
You have the right to be informed about your baby’s health and any medical care considered necessary. The consent of the mother, father or other parent must be given before a care for your child.
You can change your mind at any time. Accepting or refusing one treatment or part of a treatment does not mean that you accept or refuse all the others.
Health professionals can intervene without your consent only if your child’s life is in danger and you are unable to give consent.
Several examples of situations
The consent of one of the parents is necessary before your baby:
- is examined.
- is taken away or removed from their room.
- is given an IV, vitamin K, medicine or food (e.g.: sugar, infant formula).
- undergoes surgery.
- has ointment applied to their eyes.
References
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: section 7
Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms: section 1 and 44
Act respecting social services and health services: sections 3, 8, 9 and 12
Civil Code of Quebec: sections 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
Professional obligation according to many other professional orders (list of professional orders)