Young teenager seeing the GP alone
PLAB 2 practice station

The task

You are a GP. Ellie Marsden, aged 14, has booked an appointment on her own. The receptionist has noted only that she wants to talk about something private. Her mother is in the waiting room. Take a history, decide how to respond, and discuss a plan with her. You do not need to examine her. The examiner will not take part in the conversation.

What this station tests

• Competence to consent is decision specific: assess understanding, maturity and the likely effect of treatment, and record your reasoning.
• Fraser guidelines apply to contraception for under 16s; the young person's best interests remain central.
• Always look for coercion, abuse or exploitation, and know the age and relationship of the partner; act on safeguarding concerns.
• Explain confidentiality and its limits first, and encourage but never force parental involvement.
• Ask when she last had unprotected sex: emergency contraception works only within a limited time, so timing decides the plan. Also offer condoms, infection tests and follow-up.

Sources for the clinical content

• GMC 0-18 years: guidance for all doctors
• GMC Decision making and consent
• NICE PH51: Contraceptive services for under 25s
• NHS: Emergency contraception

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

Practise next

• A woman with an infected foot who wants to go home
• Follow-up after an emergency hospital visit
• Concern about a struggling colleague
• Itching during an intravenous antibiotic