Berkshire Aesthetics is committed to providing a safe comfortable environment where patients and staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times and the safety of everyone is of paramount importance.
What is a Formal Chaperone?
In clinical medicine, a formal chaperone is a person who serves as a witness for both a patient and a medical practitioner as a safeguard for both parties during a medical examination or procedure and is a witness to continuing consent of the procedure. Family members or friend may be present but they cannot act as a formal chaperone.
Why does Berkshire Aesthetics offer Chaperones?
There are two considerations involved in having a chaperone to assist during intimate examinations; namely for the comfort of the patient and the protection of the doctor/nurse from allegations of impropriety.
What is an intimate examination?
Obvious examples of an intimate examination include examinations of the breasts, genitalia and the rectum but it also extends to any examination where it is necessary to touch or be close to the patient for example taking the blood pressure or palpating the apex beat.
The rights of the Patient
All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination or procedure where they feel one is required. Patients have the right to decline the offer of a chaperone. However the clinician may feel that it would be wise to have a chaperone present for their mutual protection for example, an intimate examination on a young adult of the opposite gender.
If the patient still declines the doctor will need to decide whether or not they are happy to proceed in the absence of a chaperone. This will be a decision based on both clinical need and the requirement for protection against any potential allegations of improper conduct.
Appropriately Trained Chaperone
Appropriately trained Chaperone is defined as a member or Practice staff who has completed the Practice Training Programme and has been assessed as competent by a member of the Practice clinical team.
Consultations involving intimate examinations:
If an intimate examination is required, the clinician will:
The Patient can expect the chaperone to be:
Where will the chaperone stand?
The positioning of the chaperone will depend on several factors for example the nature of the examination and whether or not the chaperone has to help the clinician with the procedure. The clinician will explain to you what the chaperone will be doing and where they shall be in the room.
Patients should raise any concerns/make any complaint via the practice’s usual comments/complaints procedure.
When a chaperone is not available
There may be occasions when a chaperone is unavailable (for example on a home visit or when no trained chaperone of the appropriate sex is in the building). In such circumstances the doctor will assess the circumstances and decide if it is appropriate to go ahead without one.
If you have any questions on our chaperone policy, please contact the clinic manager or one of our reception team.
To book a consultation or for any queries please complete the form below or call our clinic on 01628 202028.
Please note that a consultation fee is payable to secure appointments and must be paid at the time of booking. This fee is redeemable against the cost of any treatment completed within 28 days of the appointment. Please note the fee cannot be used for product purchases. Patients who fail to attend their appointment or who do not provide the required notice to change or cancel their appointment agree to make payment of the required cancellation fee.
Prior to making a booking, all patients are requested to review the Booking Conditions including our cancellation policy and agree to adhere to these terms.
N.B. Any prices quoted prior to an in-person consultation with a doctor or practitioner are given as a guide only.
Is your clinic near me?
We serve patients from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, London and are within easy reach of:
Ascot – Beaconsfield – Bracknell – Bray – Cookham – Henley – Maidenhead – Marlow – Reading – Sonning – Stoke Poges – Sunningdale – Wentworth – Windsor
T. 01628 202028
A. Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6PR
Please note that the results of medical treatment and patient experiences may vary. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed and our services are the provision of treatment with no guarantee of the outcome provided. As our treatments are medical procedures and carry risks of complications and a full consultation (including the taking of detailed medical history) is required prior to any treatment being provided. Any prices quoted prior to a face-to-face consultation are given as a guide only. All calls are recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Photos of the treated area must be taken prior to, during, and following any treatment. Treatment cannot proceed without images being captured and is for the protection of the clinic, the patient, and for insurance purposes.
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