Downs Way Medical 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 and the safety of everyone is of the paramount importance.
There are occasions where there is the potential for abuse of a person placed in a vulnerable position, and conversely false allegations to be made. This can have serious, long-term consequences for all those involved and my not come to light for many years. This policy is designed to protect patients, staff and doctors from abuse or allegations of abuse and to assist patients to make an informed choice about their examinations and consultations.
Doctors and nurses (both male and female) should consider whether an intimate or personal examination of the patient (both male and female) is justified, or whether the nature of the consultation poses a risk of misunderstanding. There may be a rare occasion when an independent witness to a consultation might be prudent.
If so, the doctor or nurse should explain the nature of the examination, procedure or consultation and the patient must be offered the choice to have a chaperone present in the room during the examination or consultation.
The patient should be offered a trained member or staff to provide the chaperone. It may be embarrassing to the patient if a staff member is known to them, so a choice of alternative staff member may be necessary. If necessary another appointment can be made for the examination - in which case this decision should be recorded.
The patient can refuse a chaperone, and if so this will be recorded in the patient's medical record.
There may be rare occasions when a chaperone is needed for a home visit, in which case the practice will provide an appropriately trained member of staff.