Our Practice is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times; the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.
All medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. Patients can find examinations, investigations or photography involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum particularly intrusive (these examinations are collectively referred to as ‘intimate examinations’). Consultations involving dimmed lights, the need for patients to undress or intensive periods of being touched may also make a patient feel vulnerable.
Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present during such consultations to provide support, both emotional and sometimes physical, to the patient, to provide practical support to the Doctor as required, and also to protect the Doctor against allegations of improper behaviour during such consultations.
All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure if they feel one is required. This chaperone may be a family member, friend or you can request a formal chaperone (practice nurse) to be present. All of our practice nurses have had formal chaperone training.
Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking your appointment so that arrangements can be made in advance to prevent any delays. Where this is not possible, we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However, occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.