What is a chaperone?

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 collectively referred to as “intimate examinations”).

Also consultations involving dimmed lights, the need for patients to undress or for intensive periods of being touched may make a patient feel vulnerable.

Chaperoning is the process of having a third person present during such consultations to:

• provide support, both emotional and sometimes physical to the patient.
• to protect the doctor against allegations of improper behaviour during such consultations, and sometimes to provide practical support.

If you require a chaperone please ask your healthcare professional at your appointment.