Our practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times. The safety of everyone is of paramount importance.
All medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. Patients can find examinations, investigations or photography involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum intrusive (these examinations are collectively referred to as ‘intimate examinations.’) Consultations involving dimmed lights, the need for patients to undress or intensive periods of being touched may also make a patient feel vulnerable.
Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present during such consultations to provide support, both emotional and sometimes physical, to the patient, to provide practical support to the doctor as required, and also to protect the doctor against allegations of improper behaviour during such consultations.
You are therefore entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure. We have a number of staff who have been trained to act as a chaperone. If you would like the practice to provide a chaperone, please try to request this in advance so that arrangements can be made and avoid the need for the appointment to be rearranged. Your doctor or nurse may also require a chaperone to be present for intimate examinations. You have the right to decline a chaperone for any reason, including personal, cultural or privacy concerns or because you do not feel it is necessary. This will be recorded in your medical records.
Any intimate examination on children and young people under 18 years of age should be carried out in the presence of a formal chaperone. A parent, carer or someone known and trusted by the child may also be present during the examination or procedure to provide reassurance.