Practice Policy on Offering a Chaperone

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Policy Objectives

• To ensure patients are offered a chaperone during intimate or sensitive consultations, examinations, or procedures, where required or requested.
• To provide clarity and guidance on the role and responsibilities of chaperones during clinical interactions.
• To enhance patient safety and satisfaction by offering patients the choice of having a chaperone present when undergoing any procedure they feel may be uncomfortable or invasive.

Who Can Act as a Chaperone?

• A chaperone can be any trained member of the practice team, such as a nurse, healthcare assistant, or receptionist.
• The chaperone should be of the same gender as the patient where possible, unless otherwise requested by the patient or deemed clinically necessary.
• The chaperone must have been trained in their role, understanding their responsibilities to maintain patient confidentiality and uphold patient safety and dignity during the procedure.

When Should a Chaperone Be Offered?

A chaperone should be offered for any intimate or sensitive examination or procedure, including but not limited to:

• Examinations of the chest, genitalia, or rectum.
• Pelvic or breast examinations.
• Procedures that may make the patient feel uncomfortable or vulnerable.

A chaperone should also be offered at any time a patient requests one, regardless of the nature of the consultation.

Patient’s Right to Refuse a Chaperone

• Patients have the right to decline the offer of a chaperone if they prefer not to have one present.
• If a patient declines a chaperone, the clinician must ensure the consultation proceeds in a manner that respects the patient’s preferences and dignity, and the refusal should be documented in the patient’s record.

Procedure for Offering a Chaperone

1. Before the Appointment

• Reception staff inform patients at the time of booking the appointment that a chaperone is available if they wish.
• The offer of a chaperone is also mentioned during the initial greeting by the clinician at the beginning of the appointment.

2. During the Appointment

• If the procedure or examination involves intimate contact, the clinician verbally offers a chaperone to the patient.
• If the patient agrees, the clinician will arrange for a suitable chaperone to be present.
• The clinician should explain the role of the chaperone to the patient and ask for consent to proceed with the chaperone in place.

3. Documentation

Whether or not a chaperone is used, the details of the offer and the patient's response should be documented in the patient’s clinical record. This includes noting if the patient accepted or declined the offer of a chaperone.

Confidentiality

The chaperone’s role is to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety during the examination. They are required to respect patient confidentiality and ensure no information from the consultation is disclosed outside of the clinical setting, except as necessary for clinical purposes.

Training and Staff Responsibilities

• All staff involved in patient care are required to be aware of the chaperone policy and trained on their role in offering and providing a chaperone.
• The practice ensures that clinical staff are trained to sensitively offer chaperones during consultations and to respect patient wishes regarding the presence of a chaperone.

Advertising the Policy

The policy is advertised in the following ways:

• Patient leaflets available in the waiting room.
• Notices in the reception area and clinical rooms.
• Information provided through the practice website.
• Verbal communication during appointments by reception and clinical staff.

Conclusion

This policy ensures that patients are aware of their right to have a chaperone during intimate or sensitive examinations or procedures. It outlines the procedure for offering and providing a chaperone, ensuring patient dignity, comfort, and safety are always prioritized.