The Support Person
If English is not a suitable language for the patient to give informed consent, she must be accompanied by an impartial interpreter (partners or family members are not deemed impartial by our Consultants).
Information for the support person
Every patient has a right to have a support person accompany them whilst receiving health care, in accordance with the Health and Disability Code. However in order to fulfil legal and privacy requirements associated with abortion procedures, there are times when the patient must be interviewed alone.
We will check with the patient, when and if she wants you to join her during the interview. If you are not included in this part of the procedure, please be assured that we are not ignoring you or discounting your feelings but we must respect the patients wishes.
It is important to realise that there is often a lot of waiting involved today. A TV,DVD,reading material and refreshments are available for you to help ease any boredom. If you would prefer to leave the clinic and return either at the lunch break or later in the afternoon, please give your name to reception before leaving.
So what can you do to help?
- Simply being at the clinic can be enough to make women feel supported and safe.
- Ask the person involved how you can best support her.
- If you have brought children, take them away from the clinic to stop them becoming bored and demanding, this allows the patients to have the rest and quiet they need.
- Tell us if you have a problem so that we can help you.
During the operation: (If the patient requests you to be there).
- Focus your attention on the patient, support her, talk to her or hold her hand. Don’t focus on the operating doctor or operation.
- If you feel unwell, leave immediately, a nurse will take over support.
- For safety reasons follow any instructions given by the staff.
- If you feel you can’t cope in this surgical setting don’t upset yourself by going in. You can give support before and immediately after the operation.
We realise that this day can be difficult for support people too. If you are anxious or upset it is important that you don’t display these feelings aggressively. This results in unnecessary upset for everyone, making the day more difficult and stressful. We promote a calm, relaxing and supportive environment for all visitors to the clinic therefore threatening or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated by anyone, under any circumstances. Such behaviour, be it physical or verbal, will result in security removing the offender from the premises.
If you have a problem or want any extra information ask to speak with the patients’ counsellor or the clinical manager, someone will meet with you as soon as they are available and attempt to resolve the problem.
Please help us, to help you and the patient have as positive a visit as possible.
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