This document explains the policies that we have put in place at The Parker Clinic to reduce the risk of transmission of covid-19. Despite these procedures to protect our patients and staff, there is still an inherent risk of human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus. We therefore must ensure we have your full consent before any face-to-face assessment and/or treatment can be provided. After reading it through, and if you are happy to proceed, please sign where indicated at the bottom.
- People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low, however, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who does not feel ill. (World Health Organisation).
- Covid Vaccination: Some staff members as well as some patients attending this practice might not be vaccinated due to ineligibility, medical contraindications/ exemptions or personal preference.
- We cannot guarantee that there is no risk to you as a result of attending this Clinic.
Covid-19 Symptoms
It is very important that if you feel you are developing new symptoms that could possibly be linked Covid-19, that you postpone your appointment.
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature (> 37.5 ℃)
- a new, persistent cough
- recent loss, or change, in smell or taste
Other symptoms can include: shortness of breath, tiredness, an aching body, a headache, a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick.
We cannot offer you a face-to-face appointment if:
- You or any member of your household has had a conformed diagnosis of any virus or infectious disease in the last 10 days.
- You or any member of your household has been asked to isolate in the past 10 days.
Please contact the clinic if you develop any of these symptoms, or are diagnosed with Covid-19, after attending the clinic.
Telehealth
If you prefer to avoid coming to the clinic, you can contact reception to arrange either a phone or web-based consultation with one of our chiropractors. You will receive a diagnosis and advice to help manage your condition.
Risk Assessment and Actions Taken
It remains our priority to protect the health and safety of all our patients and staff. The process of risk assessment has been extensive and included a wide range of factors. We have incorporated advice from central government, Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as well as our regulator and chiropractic professional bodies. We have also taken into consideration the level of Covid-19 in the local community, the risk profile of different patient groups, and the clinical need of individual patients.
As we learn to live with covid within the community, some of the measures that were necessary in providing an essential threshold of safety have been eased. From the end of May 2022, the Government lifted the requirement for PPE to be worn by healthcare providers in healthcare settings. This includes facemasks. However, we will continue to stock PPE and will wear it without hesitation if requested and when indicated by our risk assessment. The current measures that are in place include:
- observing social distancing wherever possible
- using recommended levels of PPE
- adhering to a strict regimen of cleaning and sanitisation
- limiting the use of communal areas
- screening patients and staff for Covid-19 symptoms
Below is a summary of what we are asking you to do, and what you should expect when you come to the clinic for treatment:
Before your Appointment:
- You must ensure that you are not displaying any Covid-19 symptoms and have not had any recent contact with anybody who has
- Please try and wear loose, accessible clothing.
- To reduce infection risk, and the need for additional cleaning procedures, please consider using toilet facilities at home before attending the clinic.
- Please come alone and do not bring any non-essential personal belongings to your appointments.
- Please arrive at your exact appointment time and observe social distancing within the clinic.
At Reception:
- You will be required to use alcohol sanitising gel to clean your hands
- We are only accepting card payments (preferably contactless).
In the Treatment Room:
- Chiropractors will be wearing gloves, masks, aprons and eye protection/face shield when indicated
- To reduce the risk of infection for everyone, your chiropractor may modify or avoid certain techniques
- To limit the duration of close contact, appointment times should be no longer than is necessary to provide high quality chiropractic care.