The LMC is regularly involved in representing and supporting doctors who have been identified as having “performance” issues. The LMC has identified a number of themes which recur, and this regular feature will highlight these, so that our members can avoid these pitfalls.

A recent case involved a GP who was reported for potentially inappropriate examination by parties present at a consultation who were not trained chaperones.

While the need for examination, which sometimes requires intimate examination or examination close to an intimate area may seem necessary and usual to us as clinicians to aid diagnosis, to people not trained as chaperones, this could be perceived as inappropriate. An example may be having to examine a female chest to auscultate heart sounds or palpating the groin for possible hernias.

This case was reported to NHSE and investigated.

This case highlights the importance of appropriate examination, but that making the need for examination being undertaken clear to the patient and other parties present. It also highlights that having a trained chaperone is important to support both the patient and clinician.

GMC Guidance on this is comprehensive and found at:https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/professional-standards-for-doctors/intimate-examinations-and-chaperones/intimate-examinations-and-chaperones