Consent

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Competent individuals should be provided with adequate, intelligible information about the proposed physiotherapy assessment and treatment session. This information should include a clear explanation of:

 

• the planned examination/assessment

• the evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis/plan

• the intervention/treatment to be provided

• the risks which may be associated with the intervention

• the expected benefits of the intervention

• the anticipated time frames

• the anticipated costs

• any reasonable alternatives to the recommended intervention

 

The physiotherapist should ascertain the ability of the patient/client to understand the above before seeking consent. When the individual is not deemed competent or when the patient/client is a minor, a legal guardian or advocate may act as a surrogate decision-maker.

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Obtained informed consent must be recorded in the therapist’s notes. No signed documentation regarding a vaginal examination is required but informed consent must be gained.

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Procedures such as manipulation, acupuncture and specific examination techniques require extra care to ensure that the patient understands what they are consenting to. Informed consent is vital and it is good practice for this to be reported in the notes.

 

Please see the following POGP guidance on consent.

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Chaperones

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Women’s Health Physiotherapists understand that there are various reasons why a patient may wish to be accompanied during assessment or treatment. For example:

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• For help with interpretation from language difficulties or hearing impairment.

• For moral support from family member, friend or carer.

• Assistance with dressing and undressing.

• Help in remembering details of discussions and exercises.

• Parents needing to bring in children where no childcare is available at the appointment time.

• During vaginal assessments.

 

Chaperones are encouraged when the patient themselves requests this and for practical reasons would normally try to restrict this to one person. 

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All patients are welcome to be accompanied/have a chaperone during an examination, procedure or treatment. A culture of openness between patient and therapist in actively encouraged at all times. 

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Patients are encouraged to maintain independence and self-care as far as is practicable, for example undressing themselves. Assistance is only given if it has been clarified that this is required.

 

Please refer to the following CSP guidance on Chaperones. ​

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