COVID-19 Policy

Details of new procedures to protect against transmission of Covid-19

Dear patient,

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to the clinic and our aim is to make your treatment as pleasant, safe and comfortable as before. Your health and safety and that of our staff are of the utmost importance to us.

As you will be aware all public places have created new rules for visitors to follow for their safety and the safety of others. Please read through before attending the clinic. If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Social distancing

We ask all visitors to the clinic to maintain a two-metre distance from all other people in the clinic at all times. The only exception to this is with your practitioner who will let you know when it is appropriate to approach under two metre and for how long.

For social distancing reasons, unless you require assistance for specific support and care needs, we ask you to come alone to the appointment where possible unless a chaperone, parent or carer is required. Please leave accessory items (bags and coats) in the car, or travel with as little as possible.

Before arrival

If you or someone you live with develops symptoms of Covid-19 by the time of the appointment, please contact me before attending the clinic (Mobile 07984408939).

Entering the clinic

We have spaced outpatient arrivals and departures so that all visitors to the clinic can remain socially distanced.

You will receive a specific time for arrival. We would be grateful if you could enter the clinic at exactly that time. Or,
When you arrive, please wait for a text from the practitioner before entering.

Alcohol Gel for Hands

Please use the alcohol gel located at the bottom of the stairs immediately upon entering the clinic.

Toilets

We advise, where possible, that you use the toilet at home before and after visiting the clinic. You are able to use the toilets but please be aware they are used by other people who work in the building. We will however adhere to strict hygiene guidelines. If you need to use the toilet you should follow the handwashing notices located within the toilet facilities and use the alcohol gel provided in the kitchen area exiting the toilet area.

Face mask and respiratory hygiene

We are recommending that patients wear clean, ordinary surgical masks to the clinic. You may bring your own or ask your practitioner to provide one for you upon entering the clinic. We are happy to provide you with a new surgical mask at a cost of £2 which will be added to your treatment cost.

If you need to sneeze or cough while in the clinic, please do so into a disposable tissue and throw it away immediately. Please wash your hands immediately after doing so.

Payment for Treatment

Where possible we would prefer you to make a contactless or BACS payment. Please do let us know if this isn't possible.

Health information: Covid-19 consent form

Name(please print)

Date

Covid-19 screening information

Have you had a fever in the last 7 days? (feeling hot to touch on your chest and back).
Do you know, or have you recently had, a persistent dry cough?

(coughing a lot for more than an hour, 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours or worsening of a pre-existing cough)

3. Have you been in contact with anyone in the last 14 days who has been
diagnosed with Covid-19 or has coronavirus-type symptoms?

4. Have you been told to stay home, self-isolate or self-quarantine?

5. Do you or anyone that you live with fall into the ‘clinically vulnerable’ or ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ categories as defined below? Y/N



6. Have you lost sensations of taste and smell? Y/N



I understand that, because my treatment may involve touch and close physical proximity over an extended period of time, there may be an elevated risk of disease transmission, including Covid-19.

I give my consent to receive treatment from this practitioner.I am the

Name Signed Date

*If you are signing on behalf of the patient, or if the patient is a minor, please state your relationship with the patient below:

I am the patient’s *Parent/Guardian/Carer

Clinically vulnerable people

People in this category of risk include:

1 Anyone aged 70 and older (regardless of medical conditions)
2. Anyone under 70 with an underlying health condition (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds) – such as:

a chronic (long-term) mild to moderate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
b chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
c chronic kidney disease
d chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
e chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease,

multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
f diabetes
g a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines (such as steroid tablets )
h being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
pregnant women

Clinically extremely vulnerable people

People in this category of risk include: 1 Solid organ transplant recipients.
2 People with specific cancers:

a people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy
b people with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy
c people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or

myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
d people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
e people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system,

such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
f people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or

who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
3 People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and

severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
4 People with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe

combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell).
5 People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of

infection.
6 Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
7 Other people have also been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical

judgement and an assessment of their needs. GPs and hospital clinicians have been provided with guidance to support these decisions.

More information about who has been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable is available on the NHS Digital website.