Question

A 30-year-old woman attends for a breast examination with a male GP. She appears anxious and asks if a female chaperone can be present. No female staff are immediately available. What is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Offer to rearrange the examination for a time when an appropriate chaperone is available or offer referral to a suitable colleague.

Answer

Proceed with the examination without a chaperone as long as you explain what you are doing.

Answer

Refuse to examine her today and ask her to book with a female GP only.

Answer

Ask her partner to act as the chaperone instead of a staff member.

Answer

Insist that a chaperone is not necessary because she requested the examination.

Practice question

A 30-year-old woman attends for a breast examination with a male GP. She appears anxious and asks if a female chaperone can be present. No female staff are immediately available. What is the most appropriate management?