Profession to adopt a chaperone framework

A 'framework' for practitioners has been published this week which is aimed to prevent allegations of distress by patients in the consulting room.

It is hoped it will help protect the public, especially as some have previously claimed they have suffered unwelcome attention from an optometrist or optician, and experienced discomfort during an appointment.

The framework provides guidance and steps that practitioners should take when working in close contact with patients during a consultation, and includes a patient notification form that can be made available to patients and, if necessary, their carers.

Also included is a seven-point 'Chaperone policy' which a practice can adopt.

The framework outlines a practice's commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for patients, and provides them with the opportunity to have a chaperone present in the consulting room if required.

The Model Chaperone Framework is a joint initiative between the AOP, ABDO and FODO, and highlights the profession's policy towards chaperoning based upon the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team in relation to NHS employees. The framework has also used guidance already published from the College of Optometrists.

The professional bodies have adopted it to be appropriate for optical contractors, and it includes information on 'Gillick competent' children where the law regards young people who are 16 or 17 for the purposes of consent to treatment and right to confidentiality.

The framework is also designed as a resource document for primary care trusts to be used in developing their local policy.