COVID-19 Policy

Safety within the clinic is really important to us. In the light of COVID-19 there is a shared responsibility where both the therapist and the patient have a part to play.

Our role:

  • To maintain strict levels of hygiene within the clinic room at all times (see Clinic Room Hygiene Policy below)

  • To provide hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser for patient use

  • To have masks available for patients to use should they want to use one

  • All furniture and equipment used will be disinfected after each patient’s treatment

Patient role:

  • To not attend clinic if a temperature or COVID-19 symptoms are present

  • To wear a mask at your appointment if asked to do so

  • Not to arrive without an appointment

  • To pay appointment fees via bank transfer

 Clinic Room Hygiene Procedure

At the start of each therapist shift:

  • Wipe the computer keyboard and mouse over with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Wipe the doorhandles (inside and out) with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Wipe all counter tops with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Wipe the treatment plinth with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Mop floor



During each treatment session the clinician must:

  • Disinfect anything that is going to come into contact with the patient. For hands use alcohol gel or wash hands with soap and water before performing a hands on assessment or treatment.



After each treatment session:

  • Wipe the treatment plinth with disinfectant wipe

  • Wipe any equipment used, including gym balls, steps, bands etc. with disinfectant wipe


At the end of each therapist shift:

  • Wipe the computer keyboard and mouse over with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Wipe doorhandles (inside and out) with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Wipe all counter tops with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Wipe the treatment plinth with disinfectant wipe(s)

  • Mop floor

Face to Face Appointments

Please note that hand washing facilities and hand sanitising gel are available within the clinic, we will also provide you with a mask if it is needed during your treatment. Please do not attend your appointment wearing gloves.

On arrival

  • A reception area is available which you are welcome to use

  • At you appointment time your therapist will come to the reception area to meet you and take you to the clinic room

  • Please do not enter (or attempt to enter) the clinic room without your therapist present - wait in the reception area

  • Hand washing facilities and hand sanitising gel are available if required

PPE

The following personal protective equipment (PPE) is available for therapist use if requested by a patient:

  • Single use gloves

  • Single use fluid resistant mask

  • Single use apron

Hand Hygiene Procedure

Hand hygiene is an important part of infection control, not just for COVID-19 but for all forms of infection transmission.

Colchester Physiotherapy provides both hand washing facilities and alcohol based hand sanitiser for clinicians and patients and we require that both at the start and end of each treatment session the clinician and patient:

  • Wash their hands in accordance with government guidelines

  • Use the hand sanitiser gel provided

Clinicians are also required to either wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before putting on PPE for any hands-on procedure and once any PPE has been removed following a hands-on procedure.

Assessing your COVID risk

COVID-19 presents different risks to different people and whilst we have robust procedures in place to minimise these risks, we cannot remove them completely.

Because of this, prior to commencing treatment with Colchester Physiotherapy we require every patient to fill out a form to establish the level of risk that COVID would present to both themselves and those that they come in to contact with (such as family members).

People who are at (or come in to contact with those who are) moderate or high risk from COVID can still be seen in clinic, we just need to make sure that we are doing the right thing. In these scenarios we need to ensure that you understand the risks COVID presents to either yourself or those you come in to contact with. Given that you understand these risks we need to make sure that both you and your clinician are happy for you to attend clinic. If your form identifies that you are at increased risk will will discuss this with you before your appointment.

People at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) from COVID include:

  • People age 70 or older

  • People with a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)

  • People with heart disease (such as heart failure)

  • People with diabetes

  • People with chronic kidney disease

  • People with liver disease (such as hepatitis)

  • People with conditions affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)

  • People with conditions that make the susceptible to getting infections

  • People taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)

  • People who are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)

  • Pregnant women

People at high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) from COVID include:

  • People that have had an organ transplant

  • People who are having chemotherapy or antibody treatment for cancer, including immunotherapy

  • People who are having an intense course of radiotherapy (radical radiotherapy) for lung cancer

  • People who are having targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system (such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors)

  • People who have blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)

  • People who have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppressant medicine

  • People who have a severe lung condition (such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD)

  • People with conditions that place them at a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID or sickle cell)

  • People who are taking medicine that makes them much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppressant medicine)

  • Women who are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

  • Adults with Down's syndrome

  • Adult with severe (stage 5) long-term kidney disease who are having dialysis

Screening before your appointment  

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  • A high temperature. This is a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher

  • A new, continuous cough. This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. This means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Please ensure you inform us as to whether you have any symptoms that may indicate you have COVID (no matter how small or insignificant they may seem).