NOTICE TO PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE MEASURES I AM TAKING IN RESPECT OF COVID-19
As you may be able to imagine, my practice has changed somewhat due to SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19. Although there is, at present, no such thing as a no-risk face-to-face treatment, I have put measures in place to reduce the risk to you, to myself and to other patients as much as possible. This letter is to let you know about these measures.
1. TYPES OF CONSULTATION
I am offering consultations via video call or phone call if this is required by your circumstances or if it is what you prefer.
When you contact me, I will assess whether it is appropriate to see you face-to-face and, if it is, whether this is your preference. If you prefer not to attend the clinic for any reason, I am very happy to treat you remotely.
2. PRE-TREATMENT TRIAGE
If we decide to go ahead with a face-to-face treatment, I will phone you 24 hours -following the current guidance by the welsh government- in the before your appointment and on the day of your appointment. The second phone call will happen a few hours before you are due to see me. I will ask you again the screening questions via a questionnaire. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, appropriate arrangements will be made. If you develop any respiratory symptoms between your appointment being booked and when your appointment is for, there will be no penalty for cancelling.
3. ON ARRIVAL AT THE BEACON CLIMBING CENTRE
In order to maintain adequate social distancing, patients will need to remain in the car park before their appointment, preferably in your car if you have driven. If you need to wait outside in the car park, please maintain social distancing at all times.
You will need to phone me when you arrive.
Because of the extra cleaning I will be doing, appointment times will have little flexibility. I’m asking all patients to be aware of this and to be punctual. Arriving early is extremely unlikely to result in being able to see me earlier. Arriving late will result in a shorter appointment time.
4. ENTERING THE BEACON CLIMBING CENTRE
I will come and get you from the car park as soon as I am able to. I will take you into the building through the side door (to the left of the main entrance). Do not try to attempt to enter the building without being accompanied as all the doors will be locked.
You will be required to sanitize your hands immediately on entering the building with the provided sanitizer.
You will be required to wear, at least, a 3-layer non-medical face mask in line with Welsh Government guidance.
I will then screen you for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This will take the form of:
Asking you the same questions about any symptoms you may have
If you do have any of the primary symptoms of COVID-19, I will advise you about what steps to take regarding further medical treatment, testing and self-isolation. No treatment will be given.
If you have ANY respiratory symptoms other than the primary COVID-19 symptoms, you will be required to wear a face mask.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE RECOGNIZED SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!
5. IN THE CLINIC ROOM
Only bring into the building what you need. No drinks will be allowed in the clinic room.
In order to minimize the potential for virus transmission, all linen has been removed from the clinic room. This means that there is no plinth cover and a towel to cover yourself with to minimize fomite transmission. A medical grade wipe down pillow will be provided for your comfort should you need it. I recommend wearing loose clothing that can be hitched up or down easily for treatment and leggings or other loose leg wear and a thin top for an examination. I will need to be able to see and expose the area receiving Dry-Needling/Acupuncture such as your back.
A chair will be made available to place your clothes on and will be sanitized after each treatment.
6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
I will be required to wear the following PPE for all face-to-face appointments:
A disposable apron
A face shield
A face mask
Disposable (non-latex) gloves
I will only wear the face mask, visor and the gloves for any hands-on treatment. I will be wearing the apron whenever I am with a patient.
7. PAYMENT
Payment is preferably by bank transfer and in advance. (If you need to self-isolate and you have already paid, the payment will either be refunded or carried over.
At this stage, I will not be increasing my prices to cover the cost of PPE.
8. APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY
Because access to the BCC will be reduced, and to allow time for the extra cleaning required between appointments, fewer treatment times will be available.
9. CLEANING / SANITIZING
The clinic room, the triage room and downstairs toilet area will be cleaned after each use. The surfaces that are regularly touched will be sanitized with cleaner that is at least 60% alcohol, the floors will be wiped and the plinth will be wiped down.
The clinic room will be aired for 20 minutes after each patient leaves.
As well as all of that, I will be using the same COVID-19 screening for myself everyday as I use for you when you enter the BCC building.
I appreciate that is will cause some inconvenience to you. I am putting these measures in place to make face-to-face treatments as safe for all of us as I possibly can.
If you would like to ask me any further questions, please contact me. I can supply you with a copy of my full Risk Assessment and Procedures documents on request.