Chaperone Policy

Bredon Hill Surgery 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.

This Chaperone Policy adheres to local and national guidance and policy –i.e.:

‘NCGST Guidance on the role and effective use of chaperones in Primary and Community Care settings’.

All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation, examination, or procedure where they consider one is required. The chaperone may be a family member or friend, but on occasions, a formal chaperone may be preferred.

Patients are advised to ask for a chaperone if required, at the time of booking an appointment, if possible so that arrangements can be made and the appointment is not delayed in any way. The Healthcare Professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations.

All staff are aware of and have received appropriate information in relation to this Chaperone Policy.

All trained chaperones understand their role and responsibilities and are competent to perform that role.

There is no common definition of a chaperone and their role varies considerably depending on the needs of the patient, the healthcare professional, and the examination being carried out.

Their role can be considered in any of the following areas:

• Emotional comfort and reassurance to patients.
• Assist in examination (e.g. during IUCD insertion).
• Assist in undressing.
• Act as an interpreter.
• Protection to the healthcare professional against allegations/attack)

Checklist for Consultations Involving Intimate Examinations

• Chaperones are most often required or requested where a male examiner is carrying out an intimate examination or procedure on a female patient, but the designation of the chaperone will depend on the role expected of them, whether participating in the procedure or providing a supportive role.
• Establish there is a genuine need for an intimate examination and discuss this with the patient and whether a formal chaperone (such as a nurse) is needed.
• Explain to the patient why an examination is necessary and give the patient an opportunity to ask questions. The chaperone would normally be the same sex as the patient and the patient will have the opportunity to decline a particular person as a chaperone if that person is considered not acceptable for any reason.
• Offer a chaperone or invite the patient to have a family member/friend present.
• If the patient does not want a chaperone, record that the offer was made and declined in the patient’s notes.
• Obtain the patient’s consent before the examination and be prepared to discontinue the examination at any stage at the patient’s request.
• Record that permission has been obtained in the patient’s notes.
• Once the chaperone has entered the room, they should be introduced by name and the patient allowed privacy to undress/dress. Use drapes/curtains where possible to maintain dignity. There should be no undue delay prior to examination once the patient has removed any clothing.
• Explain what is being done at each stage of the examination, the outcome when it is complete and what is proposed to be done next. Keep discussion relevant and avoid personal comments.
• If a chaperone has been present, record that fact and the identity of the chaperone in the patient’s notes.
• During the examination, the chaperone may be needed to offer reassurance, remain alert to any indication of distress but should be courteous at all times.
• Record any other relevant issues or concerns in the patient’s notes, immediately following the consultation.
• Chaperones should only attend the part of the consultation that is necessary – other verbal communication should be carried out when the chaperone has left.
• Any request that the examination be discontinued should be respected.
• Healthcare professionals should note that they are at an increased risk of their actions being misconstrued or misrepresented if they conduct intimate examinations where no other person is present.

 

 

 

 

Statement of Purpose – Bredon Hill Surgery

 

CQC Provider ID  1-199766312

 

Address
Main Road
Bredon, Tewkesbury
Glos GL20 7QN

Telephone 01684 773444

Email contact hwicb.bredonhillsurgery@nhs.net

Legal Status Partnership

 

Full Names of the Partners

Dr Jeremy John Pawley – Registered Manager for all regulated activities

Dr Simon John Hill – Registered Manager for all regulated activities

 

 

Our Locations

Bredon Hill Surgery at address above

PRACTICE AIMS

• Bredon Hill Surgery aims to provide high quality General Practice Services to any patient living or staying within our practice area
• Bredon Hill Surgery aims to provide our service in a timely, professional and caring fashion
• Bredon Hill Surgery continually strives to improve the quality of the services we offer

 

PRACTICE OBJECTIVES

 

We will achieve these aims by:

• Treating all our patients with respect and dignity. Involving them in decision making and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own health
• Being courteous, approachable and accommodating
• Listening to the concerns of patients, their families and carers and take action where needed
• Involving other health professionals in the care of our patients and communicating effectively with them
• Ensuring that all members of the Practice team have the appropriate skills and training to carry out their duties competently and professionally in a safe and supportive environment
• Communicating clearly and regularly with our patients using a range of media, and to invite on-going feedback using our website, patient surveys and the Patient Participation Group
• Promoting the uptake of evidence based treatments and procedures
• Promoting equality of access to health care for all our registered population
• Fostering an innovative approach to the development of primary care through clinical teaching, audit and research
• Maintaining the confidentiality of patient information at all times

 

THE PRACTICE POPULATION

 

The practice is the only Primary Care Facility serving the patients of Bredon. We provide general practice services to any patient living or staying within our area of Bredon and outlying villages. We cover an area stretching from the north part of Tewkesbury to Eckington and around Bredon Hill to Ashton-under-Hill.

The practice has been operating from our purpose-built premises at Main Road since 1989.  Our premises have disabled access and parking facilities.  We have a dispensary and dispense medications to around 95% of our patients.

 

We have a large population of elderly patients when compared to the county average, resulting in problems with social isolation, but with low levels of deprivation.  The patient list has been gradually increasing in size and the practice now has over 5500 patients.

 

 

IMPROVING HEALTH

 

The practice has a strong clinical team which consists of Doctors, a Pharmacist, Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and associations with health visitors, midwives and mental health nurses. We also work closely with a wider team of community nurses and allied professions who are dedicated to the support of elderly, vulnerable or frail patients in their own home or care home setting.

 

The Surgery is part of The Vale of Evesham Primary Care Network (comprising seven local practices – the others are Abbey Medical Practice, Barn Close Surgery, DeMontfort Medical Centre, Grey Gable Surgery, Merstow Green Medical Practice and Riverside Surgery).

 

 

STAFF

 

Four doctors work from our surgery, providing general medical care.  We have 2 male partners working 7 clinical sessions each per week. We also have two female part time salaried GPs who work 6 and 4 clinical sessions per week.

 

The nursing staff working within the practice comprises of, three part time Practice Nurses, plus two part-time Health Care Assistants and a phlebotomist.

 

We employ a Clinical Pharmacist, whose role is to support with the management of chronic diseases, minor illnesses, medication related queries from patients, the dispensary and other prescribing related activities.

 

The Community nursing team (Neighbourhood Team) is comprised of ANPs, District Nurses, Physios, Occupational therapists and a mental health practitioner. They are based in Evesham but cover our practice area. We work with the local midwifery and health visiting teams from Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

 

The Practice Manager manages all operational, financial, personnel, strategic, and health and safety matters within the Practice. She is supported by an Assistant Practice Manager, the Lead Nurse, Senior Dispenser, and a team of administrative staff who undertake reception, secretarial and other administrative duties.

 

 

EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

 

The practice has a wide range of modern medical equipment, and our policy is to extend the range as often as possible, and as need arises and resources allow.  The equipment is maintained in line with regulations.

 

We are a paper-light practice, and use the EMIS web computer system.  We offer our patients on-line appointment booking and prescription requesting.Patients are also able to request on-line access to their medical records.

 

 

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

 

The services we provide are categorised as follows: 

• Doctors consultation services
• Doctors treatment service
• Diagnostic and screening services

The regulated activities provided under the Registered Managers Dr Jeremy Pawley and Dr Simon Hill are:

• Treatment of disease and disorder
• Surgical procedures (GP minor surgery only)
• Diagnostic and screening procedures
• Nursing Care
• Family Planning