GP mythbuster 15: Chaperones

Page last updated: 23 December 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of online and video consultations as part of core clinical practice. An online, video or telephone consultation does not negate the need to offer a chaperone. The same principles would apply.

The General Medical Council (GMC) have published guidance on how to provide appropriate patient care in online, video or telephone consultations. The guidance includes appropriate use of photographs and video consultations as part of patient care.

The Royal College of Nursing have produced a publication on genital examination in women. It includes some useful information on chaperoning which is applicable regardless of gender.

NHS England have produced some key principles for intimate clinical assessments undertaken remotely in response to COVID-19. They include how to conduct intimate examinations by video and the use of chaperones.

The GMC has published guidance on intimate examinations and chaperones. It provides a framework for all health care professionals. This sets out when and why a patient may need a chaperone and considerations that should be given. It is guidance only and not a mandate. If a GP wishes not to follow this guidance they should risk-assess the situation. They should record their logic or discussion clearly. Even by doing this rather than following the guidance, they will put themselves at risk.

Why is a chaperone needed?

All medical consultations, examinations and investigations are potentially distressing. Patients can find examinations, investigations or photography involving the breasts, genitalia or rectum particularly intrusive. These examinations are called 'intimate examinations'. Cultural factors should be considered. This is important when examinations are performed by members of the opposite sex. Also, any consultations where patients may feel vulnerable.

For most patients and procedures, respect, explanation, consent and privacy are all they need. They take precedence over the need for a chaperone. A chaperone does not remove the need for adequate explanation and courtesy. Neither can it provide full assurance that the procedure or examination is conducted appropriately.

It is important that children and young people are provided with chaperones. The GMC guidance states that a relative or friend of the patient is not an impartial observer. They would not usually be a suitable chaperone. There may be circumstances when a young person does not wish to have a chaperone. The reasons for this should be clear and recorded.

All staff must be aware that chaperones are to protect both patients and staff.

The Medical Defence Union has published guidance on chaperones. The Medical Protection Society have produced an article on providing chaperones.

Offering a chaperone

The chaperone policy should be clearly advertised through:

patient information leaflets
websites (where available) and
notice boards.

All patients should routinely be offered a chaperone during any consultation or procedure. This does not mean that every consultation needs to be interrupted to ask if the patient wants a chaperone to be present. The offer of chaperone should be clear to the patient before any procedure. Ideally at the time of booking the appointment.

For children and young people, their parents, relatives and carers should be made aware of the policy and why this is important.

Where a patient is offered but does not want a chaperone, it is important the practice has records, and coded in the records:

who the chaperone was
their title and
that the offer was made and declined.

If the patient has requested a chaperone and none is available, the patient must be able to reschedule within a reasonable timeframe. If the seriousness of the condition means a delay is inappropriate, this should be explained to the patient. It should be recorded in their notes. A decision to continue or not should be reached jointly. Special consideration needs to be given to examinations performed on home visits or during online, video or telephone consultations.

Chaperone training

All staff should have an understanding of the role of the chaperone. Staff should understand procedures for raising concerns.

Staff who undertake a formal chaperone role must have been trained so they develop the competencies required. Training can be delivered externally or provided in-house by an experienced member of staff. so that all formal chaperones understand the competencies required for the role.

Expectations of chaperones are listed in the GMC guidance. It states chaperones should:

be sensitive and respect the patient’s dignity and confidentiality
reassure the patient if they show signs of distress or discomfort
be familiar with the procedures involved in a routine intimate examination
stay for the whole examination and be able to see what the doctor is doing, if practical
be prepared to raise concerns if they are concerned about the doctor’s behaviour or actions.

Training should include:

what is meant by the term chaperone
what is an 'intimate examination'
why chaperones need to be present
the rights of the patient
their role and responsibilities.It is important chaperones should place themselves inside the screened-off area rather than outside of the curtains/screen (as they are then not technically chaperoning).
policy and mechanism for raising concerns.

Clinical staff who undertake a chaperone role will already have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. See GP mythbuster 2: Who should have a DBS check. Non-clinical staff who carry out chaperone duties may need a DBS check. This is due to the nature of chaperoning duties and the level of patient contact. If a practice decides not to carry out a DBS check for any non-clinical staff, they need to provide a clear rationale for the decision. This should include an appropriate risk assessment.

Use of chaperones during video consultations

Many intimate examinations will not be suitable for a video consultation. Where online, video or telephone consultations take place, GMC guidance explains how to protect patients when images are needed to support clinical decision making. This includes appropriate use of photographs and video consultations as part of patient care.

Where intimate examinations are performed it is important that a chaperone is offered. Documentation should clearly reflect this. It is important to document who provided the chaperoning. It should also say what part of the consultation they were present for.