COVID 19 UPDATE DECEMBER

 

Face to face appointments may be offered to patients following a Risk Assessment

 

Covid 19 is an acute severe respiratory virus.  Symptoms include a new persistent cough, high temperature, shortness of breath and a loss of, or change in taste or smell.  Most cases are mild, however some progress to acute respiratory distress and can lead to multi organ failure and septic shock.  It is spread by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces and direct droplets.  It has been advised that social distancing of 2 metre’s is necessary to limit the spread.  With regards to Physiotherapy, this distance may not be met, therefore steps have been taken to reduce the risk to our patients and staff.   

Vulnerable and High-Risk patients 

Coronavirus can make anyone seriously unwell, but for some, the risk is higher.  Some of our patients will be in the high or moderate risk category.  The high-risk patients include those who have had an organ transplant, chemo/radiotherapy or any other cancer treatment, those taking steroid or immunosuppressants, or those with severe lung or heart conditions.  All these patients should have received a letter from the NHS advising “Shielding” and should follow this advice.  The moderate risk patient will include those that are over the age of 70, pregnant, have Chronic kidney Disease, lung conditions such as Asthma or COPD, Diabetes or have a neurological condition such as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease or Cerebral Palsy.  These patients will not be advised to shield but must be extra cautious.  All guidelines will be found on the NHS website.   


If you fall within the high-risk category, we will be happy to discuss the possibility of face to face treatment, as shielding guidelines have been reduced.  Enhanced safety measures will be put in place for those in both the moderate and high-risk groups

Face to face treatments will only be given to patients where the benefits outweigh the risks,  i.e., if the patients' health and wellbeing would deteriorate if not treated.   

Measures that have been taken are as follows: 

  • Patients are asked to arrive at their allotted time and not before.  We are trying to limit the time patients are in the building    

  • Therapists are cleaning all equipment and hotspots between patients, with a chlorine- based disinfectant 

  • Patients will be screened prior to their appointment and on arrival to the clinic.  This will include InfraRed temperature measurements.

  • Patients are asked to wear their own face covering to the clinic and all therapists will wear PPE in line with the CSP guidelines.

  • Patients will sanitize hands on arrival and the therapist will wash and sanitize hands between each patient contact. 

  • Touchline Physio will be keeping records of all patients entering the clinic, to enable tracing, should any of our patients or staff become unwell.

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