Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with NHS England about whether biological sex determines which chaperone to be offered to patients who request a chaperone of a particular sex.

All patients should be given the opportunity to state their preferences in relation to the sex of their chaperone, and this must be documented in their clinical records. Patients should have the opportunity to decline a particular person if that person is not acceptable to them for any reason. They must then decide if they wish the examination to proceed or be rescheduled, and this decision should also be recorded in their clinical records.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has published guidance on intimate examinations and chaperones, which provides a framework for all healthcare professionals. This sets out when and why a patient may need a chaperone, and the considerations that should be given. The GMC’s guidance is available on their website, in an online only format.