Ideally at the time of booking the appointment.įor children and young people, their parents, relatives and carers should be made aware of the policy and why this is important. The offer of chaperone should be clear to the patient before any procedure. This does not mean that every consultation needs to be interrupted to ask if the patient wants a chaperone to be present. The chaperone policy should be clearly advertised through:Īll patients should routinely be offered a chaperone during any consultation or procedure. The Medical Protection Society have produced an article on providing chaperones. The Medical Defence Union has published guidance on chaperones. The reasons for this should be clear and recorded.Īll staff must be aware that chaperones are to protect both patients and staff. There may be circumstances when a young person does not wish to have a chaperone. They would not usually be a suitable chaperone. The GMC guidance states that a relative or friend of the patient is not an impartial observer. It is important that children and young people are provided with chaperones.
Definition of chaperone full#
Neither can it provide full assurance that the procedure or examination is conducted appropriately. A chaperone does not remove the need for adequate explanation and courtesy. They take precedence over the need for a chaperone. Also, any consultations where patients may feel vulnerable.įor most patients and procedures, respect, explanation, consent and privacy are all they need. This is important when examinations are performed by members of the opposite sex. These examinations are called 'intimate examinations'. Patients can find examinations, investigations or photography involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum particularly intrusive. Why is a chaperone needed?Īll medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. Even by doing this rather than following the guidance, they will put themselves at risk. They should record their logic or discussion clearly. If a GP wishes not to follow this guidance they should risk-assess the situation. This sets out when and why a patient may need a chaperone and considerations that should be given. It provides a framework for all health care professionals. The GMC has published guidance on intimate examinations and chaperones.
Definition of chaperone how to#
They include how to conduct intimate examinations by video and the use of chaperones. NHS England have produced some key principles for intimate clinical assessments undertaken remotely in response to COVID-19. It includes some useful information on chaperoning which is applicable regardless of gender. The Royal College of Nursing have produced a publication on genital examination in women.
The guidance includes appropriate use of photographs and video consultations as part of patient care. The General Medical Council (GMC) have published guidance on how to provide appropriate patient care in online, video or telephone consultations. An online, video or telephone consultation does not negate the need to offer a chaperone. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of online and video consultations as part of core clinical practice.
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