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.
Some medical consultations, examinations and investigations can be distressing or experienced as intrusive; particularly those involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum (these examinations are collectively referred to as ‘intimate examinations’). Consultations involving dimmed lights, the need for people to undress or intensive periods of being touched may also make a person feel vulnerable.
Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present 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 false allegations of improper behaviour.
The role of a chaperone
A chaperone is there to:
- Maintain professional boundaries during intimate examinations
- Acknowledge a patient’s vulnerability
- Provide emotional comfort and reassurance
- Assist in the examination
- Assist with undressing patients, if required