Chaperoning and Intimate Examinations course

This course provides a practical, regulator-aligned approach to safe, ethical chaperoning and intimate examinations. It equips clinical and non-clinical staff with the knowledge and judgement required to protect patients, maintain dignity, and uphold professional standards. Chaperoning is a key element of safeguarding and governance, ensuring transparency, clear boundaries, and protection for both patients and clinicians. When applied correctly, it reduces risk, supports consent, and strengthens trust in care. Why This Course Exists: Chaperoning is an area of increasing regulatory focus and may be specifically explored by the Care Quality Commission during inspection, particularly under: • Regulation 10 – Dignity and respect • Regulation 11 – Need for consent • Regulation 12 – Safe care and treatment • Regulation 13 – Safeguarding • Regulation 17 – Good governance Recent developments have brought this into sharper focus, including: • General Medical Council guidance “Intimate examinations and chaperones”, reinforcing routine offering, documentation, and patient choice • Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board, establishing a patient-centred standard for consent, including discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives • Increased emphasis from the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health and Care Professions Council on safeguarding, professional boundaries, and documentation • Recognition of lone working risks, particularly in primary care and aesthetic settings Course Aim: This course ensures staff can consistently apply, document, and justify chaperoning practice in line with regulatory expectations. Clinical Framing: Chaperoning is not optional. It is a visible indicator of a safe, well-led service that must stand up to scrutiny.