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References
Royal College of Nursing (2001,
reprinted December 2003) Protection of
nurses working with children and young
people. Guidance for nursing staff.
London: RCN. Publication code 001 741
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2002,
updated November 2004) Nursing and
Midwifery Council Code of Professional
Practice. London: NMC
United Kingdom Central Council for
Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
(2000) Guidelines for Professional
Practice. London: UKCC
United Kingdom Central Council for
Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
(1999) Standard letter: Using a
chaperone in clinical practice. London:
UKCC
General Medical Council (2001)
Intimate examinations.Available on the
GMC website: www.gmc-uk.org
(checked 23 May 2002)
Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists (1997) Intimate
Examinations – Report of a working
party. London: RCOG
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2002)
Practitioner-client relationship and the
prevention of abuse. London: NMC
Department of Health (2001) The
essence of care. London: DH.Available
on the DH website: www.dh.gov.uk
July 2002,
reprinted August 2006
Published by the
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0RN
020 7409 3333
24 hour information and
advice for RCN members
Publication code 001 446
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Chaperoning:
The role of the
nurse and the
rights of patients
Guidance for nursing staff
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Chaperoning: The role of the nurse and
the rights of patients
Guidance for nursing staff
believing that they have been the subject of
abuse. It is important that health care
professionals are sensitive to these issues
and alert to the potential for patients to be
the victims of abuse.
Background
At RCN Congress 2000 the RCN
Outpatients Nurses Forum submitted
a resolution to Congress to urge RCN
Council to develop guidelines on
chaperoning for all nurses working in
the hospital and the community. This
resolution was passed and as a result
the RCN has produced the following
guidance for nursing staff.
The role of the nurse
The role of the nurse as a chaperone to
patients undergoing consultations,
examinations, procedures, treatments and
care by medical and other health care
professionals, has been eroded and
devalued by managers faced with financial
constraints and shortages of qualified
nurses.All patients should have the right, if
they wish, to have a chaperone present
irrespective of organisational constraints.
Context
The apparent intimate nature of many
nursing, midwifery and medical
interventions, if not practiced in a sensitive
and respectful manner, can lead to
misinterpretation and, occasionally,
allegations of abuse. There are many forms
of abuse such as neglect, physical injury,
emotional and sexual abuse. Not
understanding the cultural background of
a patient can lead to confusion and
misunderstanding, with some patients
When the chaperone is a nurse or another
member of the health care team, they can
act as advocate for the patient, helping to
explain what will happen during the
examination or procedure, and the reasons
why. They can assess the patient’s
understanding of what they have been told,
and will also be a reassuring presence
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that the patient has understood the
information.
whilst the patient is having the
examination or procedure, safeguarding
against any unnecessary discomfort, pain,
humiliation or intimidation.
✦ If the patient prefers to undergo an
examination/procedure without the
presence of a chaperone, this should be
respected and their decision
documented in the clinical record.
Nurses and other health care professionals
should also consider being accompanied by
a chaperone when undertaking intimate
examinations and procedures to avoid
misunderstanding and, in rare cases, false
accusations of abuse.
✦ The patient should be informed if a
chaperone is unavailable (either due to
unforeseen circumstances or an
emergency situation) and they should
be asked if they consent to the
examination/procedure going ahead
without a chaperone or would they
prefer to postpone until one is available.
Good practice
All nurses and other health care staff
should follow the following principles of
good practice.
✦ All patients, regardless of age, gender,
✦ Patients should be encouraged to
ethnic background, culture, sexual
orientation, or mental status have the
right to have their privacy and dignity
respected.
maintain independence and self care as
far as is practicable, for example,
undressing themselves.
✦ A culture of openness between patients
✦ Patients should be offered a chaperone
and health care professionals should be
actively encouraged.
or be invited to have a relative or friend
present with them during any
examination or procedure. Their
personal preference should be
documented in their clinical record.
Conclusion
All patients should have the right, if they
wish, to have a chaperone present during
an examination, procedure, treatment or
any care irrespective of organisational
constraints or settings in which this is
carried out.
✦ In order for patients to exercise their
right to request the presence of a
chaperone, a full explanation of the
examination, procedure or treatment to
be carried out should be given to the
patient, followed by a check to ensure
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