Is This Normal Practice.

[noviceman1]

I recently visited my GP a female, for a very personal examination.
The GP informed me that it was a ruling that she had to have a chaperone, then rang reception to ask for a receptionist to be present. I did not object at this stage but expected a nurse or medic to be there.
On my next visit I felt a bit embarrassed when the same person dealt with me when picking up my prescription..
Am I being old fashioned or is this quite normal these days...

[Cloverjo]

I think they have to offer a chaperone, but you don't have to accept it.

[Old_Geezer]

You can always request a GP the gender of your choice.
The receptinist, does she always stand in as chaperone ?

[ubasses]

I think so, last time I was examined by a male Dr he asked me if I wanted a nurse present and when I went to hospital to the gynaecologist there was a nurse present all the time.

[ubasses]

Just re-read, I would be shocked if a Receptionist came in, sure you are right Coverjo, I declined the nurse at the GP's as I had been seeing him for 26 years without any problems.

[anneasquith]

I'm assuming the receptionist did not observe the actual examination ?

[noviceman1]

Yes she was present looking on in the same room anneasquith.it has to be said that us males do not feel happy when this area is examined in very close detail.....well at least some of us do not.

[woofgang]

I think that these days, the chaperone is as much to protect the doctor as the patient. I haven't heard of a receptionist being used for that role but some may also work as a nursing support worker so then they could be there in the support worker role but you might still meet them as a receptionist if you see what I mean?

[Sqad]

I wouldn't have had a female GP in the first place.

[anneasquith]

I see no problem in doctors and patients having a chaperone in attendance, but , surely the examination room has a curtain for patient privacy ?

[B00]

"I wouldn't have had a female GP in the first place. "

Why sqad?

[anneasquith]

BOO. the same reason why if I was having an intimate examination and I had a choice. I would have a female doctor.

[EDDIE51]

^^ In view of the recent case where a doctor abused patients behind a screen even while the parents were present in the same room, I can see the doctor being ultra careful and insisting that a chaperone was in full sight of the examination at all times. Sign of the times I am afraid.

[anneasquith]

eddie. if that is the case then the chaperone should be '' medical'' not a receptionist !

[Tilly2]

The last time I had a smear test, the female nurse rang for a receptionist to come and be present in the room.

[slaney]

" A chaperone should usually be a health professional ..."
And yes you can refuse - full details here
http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/21168.asp

Boo - don't ask...

[EDDIE51]

Yes ideally, but a receptionist is better than no chaperone , they have to be trusted not to disclose information anyway so better than nothing. Otherwise a surgery will need to recruit more trained nurses which is probably too expensive.

[EDDIE51]

^^ I would argue that a trained doctors receptionist is a 'Medical Professional'

[EDDIE51]

'health professional' sorry. ^^

[Sqad]

BOO.......our ABer is clearly sensitive the part that is to be examined, although the information is sparse.....? Rectal,? Genital, so one would be surprised that he went to a female GP.......that's all.

[Brinjal]

Where I go the receptionist is the nurse. There are two doctors each wit their own nurse / receptionist. Doesn't bother me she stands on the other side of the curtain