We understand that 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 called ‘intimate examinations’.
A chaperone is an impartial observer present during an intimate examination of a patient. Our clinicians will always offer patients a trained chaperone if they need to do an intimate examination. The chaperone will be a qualified nurse or GP. If a patient asks for a chaperone and no chaperone is available, the examination will not take place.