The practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that the best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.
All patients are entitled to have a trained chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. Patients can have a family member or friend for support if they wish.
Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking the appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible we will endeavour to provide a formal trained chaperone at the time of request. However, occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule the appointment.
Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.
Procedure
- The clinician will contact a nurse or other suitable trained person to request a chaperone.
- The clinician will record in the notes that the chaperone is present, and identify the chaperone who will wear a lanyard identifying them as a chaperone.
- Where no chaperone is available the examination will not take place – the patient should not normally be permitted to dispense with the chaperone once a desire to have one present has been expressed.
- The chaperone will enter the room discreetly and remain in room until the clinician has finished the examination and with time for the patient to redress.
- A ‘formal chaperone’ will attend inside the curtain at the head of the examination couch and watch the procedure. If asked to attend outside the curtain, this will be recorded on the patient’s notes as an ‘informal’ chaperone’ as they are not a direct witness to either the procedure itself or the actions and behaviour of the patient and the practitioner.
- The clinician should explain the procedure and obtain the consent for the procedure from the patient in the presence of the chaperone so that the chaperone knows what the patient has consented to.
- To prevent embarrassment, the chaperone should not enter into conversation with the patient, apart from introducing themselves when entering, or with the GP unless requested to do so. The chaperone should not make any mention of the consultation afterwards.
- The patient can refuse a chaperone, and if so this must be recorded in the patient’s medical record.
- If at any time during the procedure you feel uncomfortable or concerned please ask the doctor or nurse to stop and explain things again. It may not always be possible to stop immediately; this will depend on the procedure being undertaken.
If you would like to see a full copy of our Chaperone Policy or have any questions or comments regarding this, please contact the Practice Manager