DEFINITION OF INTIMATE CARE

‘Intimate Care’ can be defined as care tasks of an intimate nature, associated with
bodily functions, bodily products and personal hygiene, which demand direct or
indirect contact with, or exposure of, the sexual parts of the body. Help may also be
required with changing colostomy or ileostomy bags, managing catheters, stomas
or other appliances. In some cases, it may be necessary to administer rectal
medication on an emergency basis. The Surrey Administration of Medicines
Guidance is in place to support staff and children and young people where nursing
tasks are required. That document makes it clear that teaching staff should be
under no obligation to provide nursing care, and the same applies to intimate care.
Intimate care tasks specifically identified as relevant include:
• Dressing and undressing (underwear)
• Helping someone use the toilet
• Changing continence pads (faeces)
• Changing continence pads (urine)
• Bathing/ showering
• Washing intimate parts of the body
• Changing sanitary wear
• Inserting suppositories
• Giving enemas
• Inserting and monitoring pessaries