The role of the chaperone varies on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the needs of the patient and the examination or procedure being carried out. A chaperone is present as a safeguard for all parties, and is an impartial witness to the continuing consent to the examination or procedure.
A chaperone is a trained member of the surgery’s staff who is available to be in a consultation with you if you feel that the procedure or examination may make you feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. They are there to make you feel as safe and comfortable as possible.
No, you don’t have to have a chaperone, but they are available if you want someone in the room with you.
Preferably you can request a chaperone at the time of booking the appointment – this gives us enough time to make sure that someone will be available at the time of your appointment. But if not, you can request a chaperone at the time of the appointment – on occasion, a chaperone may not be available and in this instance, we can reschedule the appointment.
If you request a chaperone at the time of the appointment, either ask a receptionist or ask the clinician – they will record your request in your notes and will organise for a chaperone to come to your appointment.
A chaperone will enter the room discreetly and remain in the room until the clinician has finished the examination. The chaperone will normally attend inside the privacy curtain at the head of the examination couch and watch the procedure.
To prevent embarrassment, the chaperone will not enter into conversation with yourself or the GP unless requested to do so, and will not make any mention of the consultation afterwards. The chaperone will make a record in your notes after the consultation that they attended and will make a note of any problems.
No, you do not have to accept the chaperone who is offered to you, but if there is no-one else available, your appointment will have to be rescheduled for a time when another chaperone is available.