Chaperone Policy – Patient Information
Halcyon Medical is committed to developing a culture within the organisation that promotes and champions the privacy and dignity of all patients. It is recognised that how care is delivered can directly influence a person’s self-image.
Some health care interactions and treatments, particularly where they involve intimate parts of the body and states of undress can make patients feel vulnerable or distressed. The presence of a chaperone may assist in supporting and reassuring the patient during the healthcare interaction. The healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with the Practice’s Chaperone Policy.
Halcyon Medical believes respect, explanation, consent and privacy are paramount to ensuring you receive a positive patient experience whilst visiting the Practice.
What to expect
You should expect to be offered a chaperone for any intimate examinations that are requested as part of your treatment plan. You can request a chaperone is present during any health interaction that you feel uncomfortable with, for example, assistance with personal care.
Expect the role of the chaperone to be clearly explained to you and the person introduced to you by the health professional who is to undertake the health care interaction or examination/procedure.
Who can be a chaperone?
A member of staff can be a chaperone, such as a Nurse, HCA or other trained non-clinical member of staff.
Can a family member act as a chaperone?
Your family member cannot act as a chaperone, formally witness or take part in a clinical examination or interaction. You can however request that a member of your family or a friend be present as an informal chaperone during the examination, procedure or interaction. A situation where this may not be appropriate is where a child is asked to act as a chaperone for a parent undergoing an intimate examination.
Can I refuse a chaperone?
You have the right to refuse that a particular person is a chaperone; in this instance a member of staff will document the reasons for your refusal and your health interaction will be reviewed.
What is the chaperones responsibility?
- Ensure that conduct is sensitive and respectful of your dignity and confidentiality
- To reassure you if you are distressed or experiencing discomfort and to communicate this to the member of staff undertaking the episode of care
- Ensure that they can communicate with you in a way that you can understand
- Ensure they are aware and able to access the Practice’s complaints process and mechanism for raising concerns
What if a chaperone cannot be offered?
If in the unlikely event a chaperone cannot be offered because of an emergency or staff availability then expect to be informed. You may be asked in this instance if you would consent to proceeding with the interaction in the absence of a chaperone or more appropriately offered an alternative appointment when a chaperone will be available.
Where you express a personal preference, every effort will be made to ensure that intimate procedures are carried out by a member of staff of the same sex, if this cannot be achieved because of the specialist nature of the procedure, a chaperone of the same sex will be offered. If this is not possible, the reasons will be documented in your notes and an incident form completed, which will be communicated to the Practice Manager.
Contact Halcyon Medical
Unit 8, 24 Martineau Place
Birmingham
B2 4UH
Telephone: 0121 203 9999
Email: halcyonmedical@nhs.net
Website: www.halcyonmedical.co.uk