OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL DURING LOCKDOWN
As allied health professionals, osteopaths are able to continue to provide osteopathic care in clinic during lockdown or during other phases of restriction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At both BHWC and Natural Balance Therapies we are strictly adhering to government and regulatory guidelines to maintain the highest level of hygiene and cleanliness, as safety for patients and staff is paramount.
UPDATE As of the first of April 2021 James has had both COVID vaccinations and continues to take regular COVID tests (lateral flow).
There are a number of other measures in place to keep you as safe as possible, including the wearing of PPE, thorough cleaning and airing of the treatment room in between sessions, and the option of online consultations.
However, it is important to understand that even with all these measures in place, we cannot remove ALL risk of COVID-19 transmission with face to face consultation. You might decide that, especially if you are in a vulnerable group at a time of increasing rates of COVID-19 in the community, that the nature of your condition that you are seeking osteopathic help for does not warrant the risk face to face treatment. If you are unsure or wanted to discuss further, please call me.
How we can provide osteopathic care as safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pre-screening.
Before your initial appointment, you will be screened to make sure that a face to face consultation would be appropriate.
Just before your appointment we ask you to confirm that you have not been diagnosed with or have symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 10 days, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has in the last 14 days. To keep everyone safe we cannot accept you into the clinic if so.
Safety in the clinic.
For appointments at BHWC, you will be required to enter the building via the side entrance (which will bypass most of the surgery) to reduce interactions with other people. To this end, please arrive as near to your appointment time as possible.
Please wear a protective face mask (these can be provided at cost for £1 if you don’t have one.)
I will greet you at the door and provide some hand sanitiser gel and will accompany you straight through to the treatment room whenever possible, or the quiet waiting area directly outside the room.
BHWC is a safe environment– NHS patients are mainly having phone consultations, and only coming in when necessary, and not if they have symptoms of COVID-19. It is a relatively quiet place these days.
Everyone is encouraged not to travel by public transport where possible.
We also ask that if possible do not bring anyone with you, but if you would like to bring a chaperone, please let me know.
In addition please do not bring unnecessary items including jewellery.
Safety in the clinic room
We allow a gap in between appointments to prevent overlap and to aerate the room.
All surfaces (such as the treatment plinth, door handles, chair, wipeable pillow etc) are sanitised between patients.
We have removed soft furnishings such as the plinth cover and pillow cases.
I will be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) including gloves, apron and fluid resistant face mask and possibly eye protection, and washing hands regularly.
Telehealth
If you are concerned for any reason about having face to face treatment (for example if you or someone you live with have underlying health conditions) I am also able to offer video consultations.
It would mean no hands on therapy but I would be able to assess your condition and be able to provide exercises and other advice on how to manage it.
I hope you feel reassured that we are doing all we can to make the process as safe as possible.
**IMPORTANT NOTICE- if you receive a positive test for COVID-19 and you have to provide details of your contacts to a contact tracing agency; if you have visited an osteopath during the infectious period, you must categorise the osteopath contact as ‘healthcare’ and not a ‘general’ contact.**
