All patients who require an intimate examination are asked whether they would like a chaperone present during the examination.
If the patient requests a chaperone then a staff member, clinical or administration, will be asked to enter the examination area and will remain present whilst the examination takes place. A note will be placed in the records and the chaperone name recorded.
If any practitioner is required to examine a patient of the opposite sex and they feel that it is more appropriate, they will request the patient to consult with a practitioner of the same sex.