Safeguarding

Safeguarding Patients 113
No* Para Inquiry recommendation Government response
Para
Response
9 2.48 We therefore recommend that PCTs
should develop specific support
programmes for single-handed
practitioners, to be agreed with the
practitioner concerned and the PCT’s
SHA. Such programmes should pay
critical attention to managing the risks
of clinical and professional isolation
associated with single-handed
practice. Implementation should be
monitored by the SHA and form part of
the regular CHAI review of the PCT.
10 2.49 Additionally, PCTs should pay
particular attention to developing and
supporting the independence of
practice managers in single-handed
practices, including the
acknowledgment and resolution of
potential conflicts of interest which
may arise where the manager is the
spouse or a close relative of the
practitioner. This too should be the
subject of monitoring and review by
SHAs and CHAI.
11 2.58 We recommend that no family member
or friend of a patient should be
expected to undertake any formal
chaperoning role. The presence of a
chaperone during a clinical
examination and treatment must be
the clearly expressed choice of a
patient. Chaperoning should not be
undertaken by other than trained staff:
the use of untrained administrative
staff as chaperones in a GP surgery,
for example, is not acceptable.
However the patient must have the
right to decline any chaperone offered
if they so wish.
4.42 Agreed in principle: the Department
will discuss further with NHS and
professional organisations what
support would be appropriate.
4.42 As for previous recommendation.
6.10 Agreed. Guidance on chaperoning
policies for primary care
organisations, covering these
points, was issued in June 2005.
We will discuss with NHS
Employers whether specific
guidance for secondary care
providers is needed.