can a dr refuse to sign??

[sirenz]

I need to get a conciensious (sp?) objection form signed by my ds doctor to say i don't want to get his vacs done. Can the dr refuse to sign it? Just want to know what i'm up against when i ask her to sign it.

thanks

[melbel]

No they cannot refuse to sign.....they have to by law inform you of all the risks of not vaccinating etc, so expect a bit of a speil unless your GP is more modern, but at the end of the day it is your choice and they have to sign the form for you.....

[HotI]

The statement that the dr signs says

I declare that i have explained to the parent or guardian of the child named above the benefits and risks associated with immunisation, and that i have informed him/her of the potential dangers if a child is not immunised

So the Dr has a responsibility to discuss with you the potential effects of not vaccinating in order that they CAN sign the form.

[visitor1]

I need to get my 2 DD's form signed too. If my Dr wont do it...ill just go to another one.

[Kailani]

My chiropractor is signing our form. She didn't vax her DD either so no dramas. They can't refuse but they can bully/manipulate/make you feel you're doing wrong against your child but stand your ground and don't hesitate! I got a lecture today by the MCHN at DS's 4 month check "why haven't you vaxed yet" "you must at least get the pertussis vax"

[Inanna]

HollyM your chiropractor cannot sign the form - it has to be a person with a degree in medicine.

I actually think they can disagree - just as a doctor can refuse to do a termination, a tubal ligation, a circumcision. I personally think that's fair. I think as a practitioner they have every right to take a stand on an issue that they believe in strongly. Just as it is my right to disagree with that stand.

It is within their rights to refuse to sign the form. (according to a phone call I just had with said practitioner! )

I actually know quite a number of doctors who refuse to sign...

It's up to us to source out a practitioner that doesn't have such a strong opinion - there are plenty who don't have an ethical dilemma with it

[sirenz]

well I had to take ds to the dr today, turns out he has an ear infection.. Anyway, when i got there i find out that his dr is no longer there!!!! Turns out she was only supposed to be there for 6 months and then move on... Why can't they tell you these things when you first go and see them??? I would rather have ds go to a regular dr. AND the thing that really gets up my nose is the fact that last week she said to come in a months time (apparantly she wanted to give us more time to consider ds vax) and if we still decided against vax she would sign that form... She would have known that was going to be the last she saw of me so I think she really said that to just get rid of me!!! grrrr makes me soooo mad! She obviously didn't have the guts to tell me no she didn't want to sign it.

The good thing to come out of all of this is, the dr I saw today at the same clinic is actually on my side!!! Can I just tell you how refreashing it was to actually sit down with a dr and discuss like adults the fact that I didn't want to get ds 12 month vax done, instead of getting the lecture she actually listened AND AGREED with me. Turned out that dr has a son who has been vax and has autism! she explained that although she does not feel that vax was responsible for her son's autism, she also explained that she does have that question "what if it did cause the autism" in the back of her mind all the time.

it was just so good to talk to a dr who actually HAS children and HAS experience with an autistic child instead of just using the text books!

anyway, I think i better stop now or else no one will want to read this if its too long but just wanted to share this with you all and let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to finding a good dr