15/12/2021
**UPDATE**
16 December.
SMTO received an email from ScotGov, there is no change to guidance but asking that we adhere to current and exiting guidance setailed below.
Today's updated guidance is here.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-general-guidance-for-safer-workplaces/pages/overview/
Covid-19 Omicron Update 14 December 2021.
There have, as yet, been no changes to our industry guidance as a result of the increased transmission risk of the Omicron variant.
The FM, Nicola Sturgeon, today announced advisory measures to include:
* Vaccinations
* Good hand and respiratory hygiene and surface cleaning
* Ensure good ventilation
* Working from home and hybrid working
* Test before going to work
MOBILE
Specific sector measures, for us, are directed to those working in other peoples homes (mobile).
* Before you enter the clients home, double-check that no one in the household is self-isolating. Do not enter the home if anyone in the household is self-isolating
* Mobile therpaists should take one lateral flow test per day
* Clients should take a lateral flow test before the therapist arrives
* Maintain a distance from other family members
* As you provide a close-contact service, therapists and their clients must wear a face-covering during treatment
* Consider asking household members to wear a mask when moving about their home
TREATING THE AREA AROUND THE MOUTH
Temporary removal of the client's face covering is still allowed if you treat the area around the mouth. However, therapists must wear a type IIR mask and eye protection (goggles or visor) to do this treatment.
SELF ISOLATION.
Currently, if a household member tests positive for Covid-19, the entire household must isolate for 10 days irrespective of their PCR results and vaccine status.
ALL THERAPISTS IN ALL SETTINGS
1. Keep updated with the self-isolation guidance as it may mean lost appointments and an increased risk of transmission
2. Covid-19 screen all clients on, or before, arrival for their appointment
3. Take daily lateral flow tests and ask clients to take one before arrival
4. Socially distance waiting room chairs or close your waiting room; avoid any congestion in your clinic space
5. Keep your clinic space to a minimum of objects, furniture etc. to avoid having to clean
6. By law, you and your client must wear a face covering for the entire treatment (exemptions apply)
7. Ventilation is key; if you can keep a window open during treatment and extend ventilation times between clients as directed by your risk assessment
8. Maintain your hygiene cleaning between clients; wash your hands regularly and ask your client to wash their hands on arrival
9. Use your risk assessment to determine what mitigations you need for your treatment, your clinic space and each client
10. Consider each client's needs, their medical status and what treatments you are offering to determine treatment time length, additional ventilation, PPE etc
11. Laundry must still be washed at 60degC.
There is currently no maximum time length for treatments. This is determined by your risk assessment.
Use your professional judgment if you are treating someone with co-morbidities and those who were previously shielding or who have an increased risk from Covid-19, assess each client individually.
Make the right choices for you, your client and your treatment that support best practice and your insurance.
We've got this!! With almost 2 years of experience now, you will still be able to offer the best treatments in the safest way you can 😀
If SMTO does get any notification of changes to our guidance, we will let you know.
More info from Scotgov is here.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-general-guidance-for-safer-workplaces/pages/precautionary-measures/
