Chaperone

We are committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times.

A chaperone is a person who accompanies and looks after another person to ensure that a their privacy, safety and dignity is protected during intimate examinations and procedures.

It also maximises the healthcare professional’s safety whilst carrying out consultations (particularly those with intimate examinations/procedures) and minimises the risk of their actions being misinterpreted.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. This chaperone may be a family member or friend. On occasions you may prefer a formal chaperone to be present, i.e. a trained member of staff.

Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.