All patients will routinely be offered a chaperone, ideally at the time of booking an appointment. It is a requirement that, when necessary, chaperones are provided to protect and safeguard both patients and clinicians during intimate examinations or procedures. A chaperone poster is displayed in the waiting area.
Who can act as chaperone
Any member of the practice team can act as a chaperone, who has undertaken the required chaperone training. 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.
When a chaperone is unavailable
The GMC further advises that if either the clinician or the patient does not want the examination to go ahead without a chaperone present, or if either is uncomfortable with the choice of chaperone, the clinician may offer to delay the examination until a later date when a suitable chaperone will be available providing the delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health.
When a patient refuses 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 to be 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 providing a delay would not adversely affect the patient’s health.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Clinical staff who undertake a chaperone role at this organisation will already have a DBS check; non-clinical staff who carry out chaperone duties may need a DBS check. This is due to the nature of chaperoning duties and the level of patient contact. Should the organisation decide not to carry out a DBS check for any non-clinical staff, then a clear rationale for this decision must be given including an appropriate risk assessment.
Should you wish to request a chaperone for your appointment or have any questions in relation to chaperones, please speak to a member of the practice team.