It is the policy of Castletown Medical Centre to respect the privacy, dignity, and cultural and religious beliefs of our patients at all times, and to offer a chaperone for any consultation, examination, or procedure where this would be of benefit to the patient.
What is a chaperone?
A chaperone is a trained member of staff who is present during an examination or procedure, acting as an impartial observer to safeguard both the patient and the clinician. A chaperone does not need to be clinically trained, but will have received training in the role and understand what is expected of them.
Your right to request a chaperone
If you would like a chaperone present during a physical examination or procedure by a doctor or any other health professional you are consulting, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your wishes. This applies regardless of the gender of the patient or clinician.
If you would prefer to be examined by a clinician of the same sex as yourself, please tell reception when booking your appointment, or let the clinician know at the start of your consultation, and we will do our best to arrange this.
How to request a chaperone
You can request a chaperone:
Where possible, we will arrange for a trained chaperone to be available immediately. If one isn't available at that time, you have the right to ask for your appointment to be rearranged for a time when a chaperone can be present, rather than proceeding without one.
When a clinician may request a chaperone
In some circumstances, the clinician carrying out your examination may also ask for a chaperone to be present, particularly for intimate examinations. This is standard practice and is intended to protect both you and the clinician; it is not a reflection of any concern about you personally.
Confidentiality
A chaperone's role is to observe the examination discreetly, and to be available to reassure or assist you if needed. They will not participate in the examination or discuss what they observe outside of its clinical context.
Chaperone training
All staff acting as chaperones at this Practice have received appropriate training for the role, including an understanding of the physical boundaries of a chaperone's role, patient dignity and confidentiality, and what to do if they have any concerns during an examination.
