Hope Farm Medial Centre is committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that Best Practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance. Trust is important in the relationship between the healthcare professional and patient and we would, at all times, wish you to feel able to ask for a chaperone. It is the policy of Hope Farm Medical Centre to respect the privacy, dignity, cultural and religious beliefs of our patients.
There are occasions when patients need to be examined by a clinician which may involve intimate examinations. A chaperone provides a safeguard for patients during such an examination or consultation and protects against verbal, physical, sexual or other abuse for both patient and clinician. A clinician has the right to request a chaperone if they feel it necessary.
All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. A variety of people can act as a chaperone in the practice. Where possible, it is strongly recommended that chaperones should be clinical staff familiar with procedural aspects of personal examination. However, members of our Patient Services Team are fully trained Chaperones.
The chaperone will only be present for the examination itself, and discussion with the patient will take place while the chaperone is not present. Patients should be reassured that all practice staff understand their responsibility not to divulge confidential information.
Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking your appointment so arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not possible, we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However, occasionally it may be necessary to re-schedule your appointment.
Your GP or Nurse may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in accordance with our chaperone policy.