Medinow CHAPERONE POLICY

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Medinow is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is always being followed and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance. 

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination, or procedure where they consider one is required. Clinicians may also request a chaperone at any stage of the consultation. The chaperone may be a family member or friend; however, it is preferable for the chaperone to be a member of staff that has been trained to act as chaperone.

Patients are advised to ask for a chaperone, if required, at the time of booking an appointment so that arrangements can be made, and the appointment is not delayed in any way. The Healthcare Professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations.

All staff are aware of and have received appropriate information in relation to this chaperone policy.

All staff acting as chaperones understand their role and responsibilities and are competent to perform that role. Clinical staff who undertake a chaperone role will usually already have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If non-clinical staff act as chaperones, they will normally require a DBS check.

There is no common definition of a chaperone and their role varies considerably depending on the needs of the patient, the healthcare professional and the examination being carried out.

A chaperone could be considered for any of the following areas:

• Emotional comfort and reassurance to patients
• Assist in examination
• Assist in undressing
• Act as interpreter
• Protection to the healthcare professional against allegations / attack.