Chaperones

Patients have the right to have a mutually acceptable third party present during any examination if they wish.
Doctors have the right to insist that a third party be present, especially during internal/intimate examinations. Doctors may refuse to conduct a routine internal/intimate examination if the patient refuses consent for a third party to be in the room.
Deciding when to use a chaperone is a matter of judgement, for which there are no fixed rules.
Do not assume that you do not need a chaperone if you are the same sex as the patient.
There are no upper or lower age limits. • Take cultural and religious considerations into account where necessary.
Be especially sensitive to the feelings of vulnerable patients.
Don’t make assumptions about the preferences of different groups of patients. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, or if your patient seems unduly reluctant to be examined, arrange for a chaperone or suggest that they see another doctor.

The most appropriate person is a member of the clinical team. The patient must be introduced to them and told what their position is within the team.
Potential embarrassment and inadvertent breaches of confidentiality make friends and relatives poor choices as chaperones.

Never force a chaperone on an unwilling patient. A patient who is not embarrassed being examined may be uncomfortable in the presence of an observer.
If the offer of a chaperone is declined, document this in the patient’s notes. If you don’t want to proceed with the examination in the absence of a chaperone, tell the patient so and ask them either to reconsider or to accept a referral to another doctor.
Remember to preserve confidentiality in the presence of a chaperone.
Record the name and designation of the chaperone in the patient’s notes.

Provide the patients with a private space in which to undress and dress themselves.
Provide the patient with a gown, if necessary.
Make sure that the door to any public-access area is closed.
Use drapes to avoid exposing more of the patient’s body than is necessary.
Only offer to help the patient remove or replace clothing if they ask for, or appear to need, assistance