First Community aims to provide first rate care for all our patients and service users in a safe and caring environment. To help achieve this First Community welcomes both informal and formal chaperones to patient appointments.
A chaperone is a person who is present during a physical examination as a safeguard for all parties (patients and practitioners) and is a witness to the continuing consent of the patient to the procedure.
The type of chaperone present will depend on the type of examination being carried out, the appropriateness of the chaperone and the wishes of the patient. However, not all patients wish to have a chaperone present.
Informal chaperone: Many patients feel reassured by the presence of a familiar person in their appointment, such as a relative or a friend and this should be accepted in all appointments, except in exceptional circumstances for example if there is a risk of infection or harm. This familiar person may be used as an informal chaperone. It is, however, inappropriate to expect an informal chaperone to take an active part in the examination or to witness a procedure directly, for example during an intimate examination .
Formal chaperone: This is a registered member of staff or a specifically trained non-clinical member of staff. To protect the patient from vulnerability and embarrassment the chaperone would usually be of the same sex as the patient.
All patients will be offered a chaperone (free of charge) when attending appointments at First Community.
All chaperones are expected to maintain confidentiality of patient information.
If you have any questions please contact your clinician or service.