An intimate examination or procedure is defined as one involving the breast, genitalia or rectum. This also includes intimate investigations, medical photography and audio-visual recording.
Velindre Cancer Centre make an active offer of a formal chaperone to all patients before any intimate examination or procedure is conducted.
A formal chaperone is a person appropriately trained, whose role is to observe the examination/ procedure undertaken by the Health Practitioner. Chaperones are present to support and protect patients and healthcare practitioners.
A relative or friend of the patient is not usually an impartial observer, but we will consider any reasonable request by you to have such a person present, as well as a formal chaperone.
If you are considering a partner, relative or friend to be with you during your examinations. It can be helpful to think about whether you and they will feel comfortable about this.
Formal chaperones will have had training about maintaining confidentiality and will also know what is and what is not necessary during this type of examination.
Cultural, ethnic, religious beliefs, gender identity and sexual orientation must be considered and respected at all times.
Also, if you are considering a partner, relative or friend to be with you during your examinations, there could be matters that you would prefer to discuss confidentially with your doctor.
The presence of a chaperone should only be with the agreement of both the patient and the doctor, and a formal chaperone should always be present during any intimate examination or procedure.
You may request to have a chaperone and/or to be examined by a healthcare practitioner of a specific gender and wherever practical this request should be granted.
If the examining clinician feels that a formal chaperone should be present and the active offer is declined by the patient, the clinician may not wish to continue with the examination.
For children and young people who are undergoing intimate examinations, usual practice would be to have a formal chaperone present in addition to the parent or carer. For young people, who are deemed to have mental capacity, they have the same rights to consent and confidentiality as an adult. Children cannot be chaperones for adults or be present during intimate examinations.