Intimate examinations and chaperones (summary)

A patient’s view and a doctor’s view of what an intimate examination is can be very different.

This guidance gives you advice about putting your patient at ease.

There are a range of steps you can take to identify when a patient needs more information, or a different approach to the consultation is needed and a chaperone would be appropriate. It explains who can be asked and what to do when no-one is available. It also includes factors to consider when examining a child, young person or vulnerable person.

This guidance came into effect 22 April 2013.