COVID-19 Guidelines

To comply with government guidelines, your Physiotherapist will be wearing the following PPE for the duration of your appointment:

• Single-use non-latex gloves.
• Apron.
• Medical grade face mask.
• Eye protection.

Please consider if a face to face appointment is appropriate for you, especially if you meet any of the following criteria, we will screen for this on your initial appointment:

• You are aged over 70.
• You have a BMI > 40.
• You have a weakened immune system.
• You have any co-morbidities which can cause immunosuppression such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol abuse, smoking, long-term steroid use, cancer diagnosis or current cancer treatment.
• You are caring for anyone in the shielded category.

Appointments will be spaced out so that there will be at least 15 minutes between appointments. This will be to allow for social distancing in the waiting area, and the physiotherapist time to change their PPE and sanitise all surfaces, touch points and equipment between appointments.

We advise patients to arrive at their allotted time when they can be directed to the Physiotherapy treatment room,

Disposable couch-roll will be used to cover the plinth and pillows. The plinth will be fully sanitised, and pillowcases changed between each patient.

Professional cleaners will perform a deep clean of the department at the end of each day.

We are complying with government guidance to minimise the risk of our patients and staff contracting COVID-19 as much as possible. However, we are unable to eliminate the risk completely of contracting the virus if you come for a face to face appointment.

We strongly advise you do not come to the clinic if you or anyone in your household is in the high-risk group as outlined above. Please let us know when enquiring about an appointment if you do meet any of the criteria listed.

Please do not attend our clinics if:

• You or any of your household are displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
• NHS Coronavirus Symptoms Guidance
• You have not been following government guidelines with respect to social distancing.
• Government Guidelines
• You are in quarantine after returning from abroad.
• Government Travel Advice
• You have been advised by a contact-tracer that you must self-isolate.

On attending our clinics, we ask you to follow the below guidance:

• You will be emailed a consent with the confirmation of your first appointment – please complete, sign, and return this prior to the start of your appointment.
• Please wear a face covering for the duration of your visit.
• Please enter the clinic no more than 5 minutes before the start of your appointment time, if you are early, we kindly ask you to wait outside of the building.
• You will be brought into the physio room directly avoiding the waiting room.
• Please carefully clean your hands with the alcohol gel provided on entering and exiting the clinic.
• Please maintain two metres distance from anyone else on the premises or in the waiting area.
• The doors to our clinic and treatment rooms will be left open where possible to maximise ventilation in between appointments and reduce the need for you to touch door handles. The treatment room doors will only be closed during your session to maintain privacy.
• Please do not use the communal water coolers or coffee machine. Please bring your own water to your session if required.
• Please maintain a two-metre distance from your physiotherapist where possible for the parts of your session that do not require closer contact.
• Please prepare for a suitable level of undress during your session, you will need to bring your own shorts to the session if you have a spinal or lower-limb issue.
• Please keep personal items in your pocket or bag for the duration of your appointment.
• All physiotherapy exercises will be sent out electronically, no written information will be handed to patients.
• All letters will be sent electronically or via post.
• Please make all payments remotely prior to or following your appointment via BACS transfer or contactless payment.
• You must notify us if you develop symptoms of coronavirus within two weeks of attending your appointment.
• Please attend your appointment alone where possible, unless you require an interpreter or you are accompanying your child for their appointment.

If you are attending the clinic for a face to face appointment please make sure you have read the up to date information regarding coronavirus and sign the consent form sent with your appointment confirmation, prior to the appointment.