Mereside Medical is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all our patients and staff.
As part of this, we have signed up to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, which promotes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of sexual misconduct including sexual harassment. We take seriously any reports of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behaviour. If you see or experience this at one of our practices, please inform the team. You can make contact with the practice operations manager either via askmyGP, email or telephone.
Chaperones and Intimate Examinations
How we keep you safe when you need an intimate examination.
When investigating your symptoms, and if clinically required, a clinician may need to conduct an intimate examination of you during your appointment.
Before conducting an intimate examination, the clinician will give you a detailed explanation of why the examination is necessary, and what will happen during the examination.
If the examination is not being carried out by a GP, the clinician will explicitly explain their role and seek your consent to perform the examination within their role.
You will always be offered a chaperone to be present in the room for an intimate examination. A chaperone is a fully trained, clinical member of staff who is familiar with what the intimate examination involves. Where a suitable chaperone is not available, the examination will be rearranged.
Chaperones form part of our commitment to sexual safety and are mandatory for all intimate examinations of children (those under the age of 18).
Chaperones can also be requested for consultations which do not involve intimate examinations if the clinician or patient feel it necessary.
