Chaperones

A chaperone is an impartial observer that is present during an intimate examination of a patient.

Your clinician should always explain if you need an examination and what it will involve. They should seek your consent to proceed, and at the same time, they should ask if you want a chaperone to be present.

At Paxton Green, we only use clinical staff for chaperones and they will normally be the duty nurse or another doctor.

The chaperone can offer you support and reassurance during an intimate examination. They are there to protect your dignity and confidentiality at all times. They also provide a safeguard for both the patient and the doctor.

If at any time you feel uncomfortable during an examination then you should always tell the clinician and ask them to stop the examination.