Chaperoning Guidelines for Clinical Staff

Introduction

Ashford & St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the provision of high-quality health care in all aspects of its service to patients, visitors, local community, and members of staff. The Trust recognises that clinical consultations, examinations, and investigations have the potential to cause some people distress. Sometimes consultations can cause people to feel vulnerable, for example where lights are required to be dimmed, there is close proximity, or where patients need to undress or be physically touched. Many patients find examinations, investigations, inspection, or photography involving the rectum, genitalia, or breasts particularly intrusive.

Our patients must always be treated with respect, dignity should be maintained, and a chaperone be available and always offered. An explanation prior to a procedure and the patient’s consent must always be provided.

The chaperone is a third party to a clinical examination, who aims to provide support and reassurance to the patient, witness the continuing consent to an examination or procedure, and provide practical help to the clinician when appropriate. They can discourage allegations of improper behaviour being made, by acting as a witness to the procedure.

Scope

This policy applies to all healthcare professionals working within Ashford & St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust, including Medical Staff, Nurses and Midwives, Healthcare Assistants, Allied Health Professionals, those in clinical training and Complementary Therapists working with individual patients.

Policy Details

See also:

• Any relevant trust policies / guidelines or procedures