Doctors were told by the government yesterday that they could continue to perform abortions on under-16s without the consent of parents.

But they were reminded to make "every effort" to ensure that young women who refused to involve their parents had support from another adult: another family member, or a specialist youth worker.

Ministers also published clearer guidance on the responsibilities of doctors and health professionals to discuss with those seeking contraception the emotional and physical implications of sexual activity. They should also seek to establish whether relationships prompting appeals for contraception were mutually agreed or subject to coercion or abuse.

The guidance reinforces patients' right to confidentiality in most cases, but does not change the legal framework established by the 1986 Victoria Gillick case. But the issue received huge publicity again in May when a mother complained that her 14-year-old daughter had been able to have an abortion without her knowledge.

The updated guidance says the duty on doctors to maintain confidentiality is not absolute.

The Department of Health said yesterday: "Where a health professional believes there is a risk to the health, safety or welfare of a young person which is so serious as to outweigh the young person's right to privacy, they should follow agreed child protection protocols."