Did you know that you have the right to request a chaperone for your appointment.
This is not limited to intimate examinations and can be requested at any time. You can request one at any time during your visit however, if you know in advance that you would like a chaperone, it would be helpful to us to know in advance so that we can ensure that we have an appropriately trained member of staff available to assist.
What to expect
You should expect to be offered a chaperone for any intimate examinations that are requested as part of your treatment plan. You can also request a chaperone is present during any health interaction that you feel uncomfortable with, for example, assistance with personal care. Expect the role of the chaperone to be clearly explained to you and the person introduced to you by the health professional who is to undertake the health care interaction or examination/procedure. There is no common definition of a chaperone as the needs of the patient, health care practitioner and intervention will dictate the role.
Who can be a chaperone?
A member of staff or a paid/ professional carer can be a chaperone providing they have undertaken the appropriate chaperone training.
Can a family member act as a chaperone?
Your family member cannot act as a chaperone, formally witness or take part in a clinical examination or interaction. You can however request that a member of your family or a friend is present during the examination, procedure or interaction.
Can I refuse a chaperone?
You have the right to refuse the presence of a chaperone; in this instance your clinician will document the reasons for your refusal and your health interaction will be reviewed accordingly.
What is the chaperones responsibility?
To ensure that conduct is sensitive and respectful of your dignity and confidentiality. To reassure you if you are distressed or experiencing discomfort and to communicate this to the member of staff undertaking the episode of care. Ensure that they can communicate with you in a way that you can understand . Ensure they are aware and able to access the Trust complaints process and mechanism for raising concerns
What if a chaperone cannot be offered?
If in the unlikely event a chaperone cannot be offered because of an emergency or staff unavailability, then you will be informed of this prior to examination or prior to your appointment if this was pre-booked. You may be asked in this instance if you would like to consent to proceeding with the interaction in the absence of a chaperone or more appropriately be offered an alternative appointment when a chaperone will be available. Where you express a personal preference, every effort will be made to ensure that intimate procedures, including assistance with personal hygiene are carried out by a trained member of staff of the same sex. If a chaperone of the same sex cannot be be offered at that time, you will be given the opportunity to use any other available chaperone or to rearrange your appointment for a time when a same sex chaperone is available. This will be documented in your notes accordingly.
Contact
Please speak to a member of staff at the practice if you have any questions regarding this information.
This information is also available in leaflet form at the Reception desk at each of our practice sites.
Click here to view our practice Chaperone Policy