01/06/2020
Hello again everyone!
I am now accepting patients again - both new and existing patients are welcome!
Needless to say there have been some changes to the clinic - finally gotten around to doing some painting lol !
Joking aside, as well as the outside paintwork, there has, as you would expect, had to be some changes inside the clinic to keep all visitors, patients and staff as safe as possible and do our bit to slow the progress of the novel coronavirus, whilst continuing to provide the high levels of service we pride ourselves on.
I will post in due course about the physical changes I have made inside the clinic but for now if you choose to arrange an appointment can I please draw your attention to our new procedures.
ONLINE APPOINTMENTS
For osteopathic appointments it is possible for you to be seen remotely via secure online video chat and prescribed a custom exercise plan which can be sent to you in written, image and video formats via an email link. Please consider this option if you are in a group that has been advised to shield from coronavirus.
BEFORE YOU ATTEND AN APPOINTMENT IN PERSON
You are not permitted to enter the building if you have symptoms of:
New onset persistent dry cough
Fever
Loss of or change to sense of smell or taste, or
You have been in close contact with anyone with such symptoms (E.G. household members or close contact with colleagues) in the past 14 days, or
Knowingly within the past 14 days,have been in close contact with someone who has subsequently developed such symptoms.
The latter 2 points do not apply to healthcare workers or professional carers who have been exposed to Covid-19 caring for infected patients whilst protected by full PPE.
Do not make an appointment until you have been free of any of the above symptoms for at least seven days or have been symptom free for at least 14 days since a potential exposure to covid-19.
For osteopathic treatment, cashless prepayment by bank transfer or payment link to confirm your booking is preferred. Please make it clear when booking if this is not possible.
ARRIVING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Wear a facemask to attend your appointment if you have one.
Use the sanitiser at the front reception area of the clinic before taking a seat or otherwise moving to another area of the building.
Attend the appointment alone if at all possible. The amount of seating in the waiting areas has been reduced to reflect the need for social distancing. There are 2 individual seats in the rear waiting area and 2 seats at the front reception to be used only if it is not possible to arrive alone.
Arrive 5 minutes early if using the waiting areas inside the clinic. Other options are:
Wait nearby in your car and you will be called by phone for your appointment (please arrange this when booking).
Wait outside the clinic until you see the practitioner arrive in the reception area.
Maintain appropriate cough hygiene when inside the clinic - “catch it, bin it, kill it (sanitise the hands).” Cough into masks if wearing them in addition to these measures.
Respect the social distance of others wherever possible inside the building.
Do not touch any surfaces with your hands that you need not; keep any information pamphlets you pick up.
Follow instructions written on signage inside the clinic.
INSIDE THE TREATMENT ROOM
The following applies to osteopathic patients and there are separate procedures for podiatry/chiropody patients.
New patients will no longer be greeted by handshake.
You are asked to wear a facemask to your appointment if you have one. If not, you will be provided with and asked to wear a disposable mask to wear until you leave the building.
There will no longer be use of any reusable linen. Consequently it will no longer be possible to cover you up for assessment and treatment on the treatment table as would have occurred pre-corona virus. If this is likely to make you feel uncomfortable, please wear clothing that can be easily “worked around.” If this is unclear ask for advice when booking in.
Thank you in advance for adhering to these measures.
Here as everywhere else at present, things are that little less convenient than we’ve been used to. What I have in place here I don’t think is too intrusive, especially considering what you get back in return - sustained, returned or improved ability to move freely, effortlessly and painlessly.
If you have any suggestions that might smooth the flow of patients through the clinic whilst contributing to infection control then I would welcome your suggestions.
Wishing you all the very best as ever.
Kind regards,
Martin.
