Chaperone Policy

Chaperone Policy

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK

Responsive (Meeting Patient Needs & Adapting Services)

1. Purpose

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and comfort of all patients throughout their aesthetic treatments. This policy establishes clear guidelines on chaperone use, patient privacy, and safeguarding procedures while upholding CQC, Save Face, NICE, and UK healthcare regulatory standards.

The chaperone policy aims to:

  • Protect patients and staff from any allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
  • Ensure patient dignity and respect throughout all consultations and treatments.
  • Provide a structured framework for the presence of chaperones and the role they play.
  • Ensure compliance with GDPR, particularly in relation to CCTV usage.

This policy is aligned with:

  • Care Quality Commission (CQC) – Regulation 10: Dignity & Respect
  • Save Face Guidelines on Ethical Practice & Patient Protection
  • General Medical Council (GMC) & Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Best Practice Guidelines
  • Equality Act 2010 – Prevention of Discrimination in Healthcare
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) & Data Protection Act 2018

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  •  All staff, including clinical and non-clinical personnel.
  •  Patients attending consultations and treatments.
  •  Relatives, guardians, or other third parties acting as patient chaperones.

3. Availability of Chaperones

3.1 Requesting a Chaperone

Patients have the right to request a chaperone during their consultation or treatment. HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK will accommodate requests where possible, but due to staffing limitations, an alternative gendered injector or staff member may not always be available.

Key points:

  • Patients will be informed at the time of booking if a chaperone is unavailable.
  • If a chaperone of the requested gender is not available, patients will be given the option to reschedule or bring their own chaperone.
  • If a patient declines a chaperone, this decision will be documented in their records.

4. Gender Considerations & Privacy

  • HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK employs both male and female injectors. Patients may request a specific gender for their treatment, but this cannot always be guaranteed.
  • If a patient is uncomfortable with the injector’s gender, they may reschedule for an alternative practitioner.
  • Patients will not be asked to expose any private areas of their body. Only the areas directly involved in treatment will be visible.
  • Appropriate draping and modesty measures will always be used where necessary.

5. Use of CCTV for Patient & Staff Safety

5.1 CCTV Monitoring Policy

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK operates CCTV in public areas of the clinic to:

  • Enhance patient and staff safety.
  • Minimise the risk of allegations of misconduct, harassment, or assault.
  • Provide an additional layer of security in case of disputes or complaints.

5.2 CCTV Data Protection & Access CCTV footage is securely encrypted and stored in the cloud.

  • Footage is only accessed in the event of an incident, complaint, or legal request.
  • CCTV does not record audio to maintain confidentiality.
  • Patients are notified about CCTV usage upon arrival at the clinic.

CCTV is not used in treatment rooms to preserve patient privacy. However, its presence in reception and common areas provides a deterrent against inappropriate behaviour and enhances the protection of both patients and staff.

6. Relatives & Third-Party Chaperones

6.1 Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Patients may bring a relative, guardian, or trusted individual to act as their chaperone. However, for clinical accuracy and confidentiality, the consultation portion of the appointment must be conducted solely between the patient and the practitioner.

A chaperone may:

  • Be present during the treatment stage to offer reassurance.
  • Observe but do not interfere in the clinical process. 
  • Provide comfort and support to the patient.

A chaperone may not:

  • Speak on behalf of the patient unless they lack capacity.
  • Influence the patient’s treatment decisions.
  • Disrupt or interfere with the procedure.

7. Documentation & Record Keeping

  • If a patient requests or declines a chaperone, this must be recorded in their medical file.
  • Any concerns regarding patient behaviour, practitioner conduct, or safeguarding issues must be documented.
  • All incidents relating to patient-practitioner interactions must be reported using the clinic’s Incident Reporting Policy.

8. Safeguarding & Escalation of Concerns

  • All staff must complete safeguarding training to recognise signs of vulnerability or distress.
  • Any suspicions of coercion, abuse, or undue influence during a consultation must be reported.
  • If a patient appears unable to consent to treatment, the procedure will be delayed, and appropriate safeguarding steps will be taken.

9. Staff Training & Compliance Monitoring

  • All clinical staff must be trained in chaperone procedures, dignity in care, and safeguarding responsibilities.
  • The Chaperone Policy will be reviewed annually to reflect best practices and regulatory changes.
  • Complaints or concerns relating to chaperoning will be reviewed in clinical governance meetings.

10. Conclusion

HAUS OF ÄSTHETIK is committed to ensuring that all patients receive treatment in a professional, dignified, and respectful manner. This Chaperone Policy aligns with CQC, Save Face, NICE, and UK healthcare guidelines, reinforcing patient safety, staff protection, and ethical clinical practices.

All patients will be informed of this policy at their initial consultation.