At Ivel Medical Centre, we are committed to providing safe, respectful and professional care for all patients.
During some consultations or examinations, particularly intimate examinations, a chaperone may be present. A chaperone is a trained member of staff who is there to support both you and the clinician during the examination.
What is a chaperone?
A chaperone is an impartial member of staff who is present during a consultation or examination. Their role is to support the patient and act as an observer to ensure the examination is carried out safely and appropriately.
Chaperones are commonly used during intimate or personal examinations.
Who can act as a chaperone?
Chaperones are usually trained members of the practice team, such as:
- Practice nurses
- Healthcare assistants
- Other appropriately trained members of staff
All staff acting as chaperones understand their responsibilities and the importance of maintaining patient dignity and confidentiality.
Requesting a chaperone
You can request a chaperone at any time. This can be:
- When booking your appointment
- When you arrive at the practice
- At any point during your consultation
If possible, please inform reception in advance so that we can arrange for a chaperone to be available during your appointment.
If a suitable chaperone is not available at the time, it may be necessary to rearrange the examination.
When a clinician may request a chaperone
In some circumstances, the clinician may request that a chaperone is present during an examination. This helps ensure that the examination is carried out safely and appropriately for both the patient and the clinician.
The role of a chaperone
A chaperone may:
- Be present during the examination
- Provide reassurance and support to the patient
- Observe the procedure to ensure professional standards are maintained
- Assist the clinician if required
Your choice
You have the right to:
- Request a chaperone for any examination or consultation
- Decline an examination
- Ask for the examination to be carried out by a different clinician where possible
Please note that a clinician may decide not to proceed with an examination if a chaperone is declined.
All chaperones understand the importance of patient confidentiality and will only be present during the examination itself.