NOTE TO PARENTS
What should be taken into account if the child is taken to a doctor not by their parents, but grandparents, baby-sitter or other person?
Any doctor at any medical institution can ask to verify kinship and prove the right to represent the legal interests of the child, one must be appropriately prepared. If the medical practitioner cannot obtain a permission from the lawful representative of the child or if the person cannot demonstrate their power of attorney to represent the interests of the child, the physician can refuse the consultation or treatment.
- Upon receiving medical services the child's lawful representative must demonstrate their legal status in relation to the minor. The father or the mother must present a passport or an eID, but the status in relation to the minor will be verified by an entry in the passport or the child's birth certificate with indicated names of the parents.
- ! Other persons, including grandparents, brothers and sisters, and other relatives are required to prepare a notarized power of attorney to represent the child's lawful rights and interests.
- Personal identification documents are not required for children up to 15 years of age, a birth certificate is sufficient. However, should the child already have a passport or an eID, it can also be presented.
Keep in mind:
- The medical treatment of underage patients (up to 14 years of age) is permitted only with the consent of a legal representative.
- A child's natural legal representatives are their parents.
- The child's parents must present a passport or an eID following the request of a medical practitioner.
- The parents' status in relation to the minor will be verified by an entry in the passport or the child's birth certificate with indicated names of the parents.
- Other persons (grandparents, brothers, sisters, etc.) must possess a notarized power of attorney to represent the minor's interests at a medical institution.
The following information must be indicated in the power of attorney:
- who grants the power;
- who is granted the power;
- personal identification data of the minor whose interests will be represented by the authorized person;
- the scope of the power of attorney.
If the child's grandmother will take them to a family physician who knows the family well, the power of attorney most likely will not be asked. However, one should not get upset if the practitioner demands the power of attorney. The medical practitioner has such right, in fact, they even are legally obliged to do it.
To learn more, please, call:
Phone No: + 371 66 333333, + 371 29334224,
e-mail us at: info@capitalclinicriga.lv