Chaperone Policy

What is a Chaperone?

Chaperone Policy Update

Following a recent update to the Chaperone Policy, all staff are reminded of their responsibilities when acting as a chaperone.

If you are asked to act as a chaperone for a clinician, you are required to record a consultation entry in the patient’s record. This applies to both clinical and administrative staff.

The consultation entry must include:

This documentation must be completed promptly, immediately after the chaperoning duty has concluded.

Purpose

At Nexus Health, we are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for both our patients and staff. This policy outlines the procedures for offering chaperones during patient consultations and treatment sessions.

What is a Chaperone?

A chaperone is a third-party individual present during a patient’s consultation or treatment to provide reassurance, emotional or physical support, and to uphold professional standards. Patients are encouraged to notify us at the time of booking if they would like a chaperone present.

When a Chaperone May Be Required

A chaperone may be appropriate in the following scenarios:

During close-contact consultations or examinations
When a patient is particularly vulnerable or at risk
When assistance is needed with undressing
To protect both the patient and practitioner during interactions
Due to a patient’s religious or cultural considerations

Who Can Act as a Chaperone?

Patients may bring a family member or friend to act as their chaperone—please let us know when booking the appointment.

For children, a parent, guardian, or carer typically serves as the chaperone.
For patients with mental health conditions or learning difficulties that impact capacity, a carer or family member will usually attend.
If a patient would like a chaperone but is unable to bring someone, we will make suitable arrangements. Our designated chaperones are impartial, DBS-checked, and trained in their role and responsibilities.

Documentation and Conduct

If a patient is offered a chaperone and declines, this will be documented in their records.
Consent for a chaperone will be recorded.
Patients will be given privacy to undress and introduced to the chaperone immediately upon entering the consulting room.
Chaperones will be present only for the necessary duration.
The chaperone's identity and presence will be noted in the patient’s records.
Our chaperones are expected to be courteous and supportive throughout the visit.

Reporting Concerns

If an incident is witnessed by either a patient or employee during a consultation, it must be reported immediately to ………………via:

Chaperone Policy

What is a Chaperone?