Chaperones

What is a Chaperone?

Unity Surgery is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance

Some examinations and treatments, in particular where they involve intimate body parts and states of undress, can make patients feel vulnerable and distressed.

A chaperone is to protect both patients and staff from abuse or allegations of abuse and to assist patients to make an informed choice about their examinations and consultations.   chaperone may assist in supporting and reassuring a patient during an examination or procedure.

The healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with the practice chaperones policy.

What to expect?
You can request a chaperone be present during any examination or procedure that you feel uncomfortable with. Expect the role of the chaperone to be clearly explained to you and the person introduced to you by the health care professional who is to undertake the examination or procedure.

Who can be a chaperone?
All clinical and non-clinical staff have received chaperone training.

Arranging a chaperone
If you would like to arrange a chaperone in advance please inform the receptionist when you book your appointment. If during your consultation the clinician feels a chaperone is needed, they will attempt to arrange this, if possible during the consultation. In the unlikely event a chaperone cannot be arranged you may be asked to arrange another appointment.

What is the chaperones responsibility?

  • At this organisation, chaperones will adhere to the GMC guidance which states chaperones will:

     

  • Be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality
  • Reassure the patient if they show signs of distress or discomfort
  • Be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination
  • Stay for the whole examination and be able to see what the doctor is doing, if practical
  • Be prepared to raise concerns if they are concerned about the doctor’s behaviour or actions
  •  

    The CQC advises that for most patients and procedures, respect, explanation, consent and privacy are all that are needed. These take precedence over the need for a chaperone. A chaperone does not remove the need for adequate explanation and courtesy. Neither can a chaperone provide full assurance that the procedure or examination is conducted appropriately.

  • Can a family member act as a chaperone?
    As per the GMC guidance, relatives or friends of the patient are not considered to be an impartial observer so would not usually be a suitable chaperone but staff at this organisation should comply with a reasonable request to have such a person present in addition to the chaperone.

    Can I refuse a chaperone?
    If the clinician does not want to proceed with the examination without a chaperone but the patient has refused a chaperone, the clinician must clearly explain why they want a chaperone present. The GMC states that ultimately the patient’s clinical needs must take precedence. The clinician may wish to consider referring the patient to a colleague who would be willing to examine them without a chaperone as long as a delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health.

     

    Any discussion about chaperones and the outcome should be recorded in the patient’s medical record, and in particular:

     

    • Who the chaperone was
    • Their title
    • That the offer was made and declined