Infection Control Policy: UPDATE 8th June 2022

As a healthcare setting, our infection control policy is written in line with Public Health England (PHE) guidelines and represents a return toward pre-pandemic conditions. This means that it is subject to change.

The recommendation is continue to take measures to limit person-to-person transmission in healthcare settings. This is particularly important because our patients include a small number of potentially vulnerable adults and children. With the precautions we have put in place we believe there is a low risk of transmission within the clinic, providing those who visit the clinic ensure that they do not come when they have any symptoms.

What we are doing
As always, we will continue to wash our hands before and after seeing each patient. As throughout the pandemic, we will continue to work with increased ventilation in the clinic and appointments continue to be booked with extra time in between to air the room and reduce the likelihood of patents meeting in the waiting room.

If any of our osteopaths have any symptoms that could indicate COVID-19 or other infectious illness, they won’t be working. If this affects your appointment, we will let you know as soon as possible and try to provide the option to see a colleague during their absence if you are unable to wait.

Masks within the clinic
PHE guidelines state that patients are no longer required to wear face masks in out-patient clinics unless they are symptomatic. In the context of our clinic, this means that we will only ask you to wear a mask if you are displaying symptoms such as sneezing or coughing or are living in a household where someone is unwell. You may of course continue to wear a mask if you wish; please bring your own mask with you.

The osteopaths will each individually risk assess to make a decision about whether they are comfortable to work without a mask. If you would prefer your osteopath to wear one please feel free to mention this when you arrive.

When not to attend
As osteopaths we have close contact with our patients, so please do not come to an appointment if you think you may be infectious. Our guidelines specify that you must not attend with symptoms such as fever, a new cough, shortness of breath or loss/change to taste/smell. However, if you have any symptoms suggesting an active transmissible infection, this may result in the osteopath becoming unwell and transmitting the illness to other patients so we request that you do not attend.

As this is a healthcare appointment which involves close contact and we have vulnerable patients attending the clinic, we are also requesting that you do not come in to the clinic if someone in your household has confirmed or suspected COVID.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel an appointment. We are grateful for as much notice as possible. If you do not attend an appointment without giving notice, we reserve the right to charge the full fee.

What you can do
Our waiting room is quite small so we are still limiting the use of the space. To help us to do this, please only ring the bell at your arranged appointment time and we will endeavour to see you as soon as you arrive. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait at the gate if the previous patient is still in the building.

Our treatment rooms have limited space, we would prefer it if you do not bring any additional adults or children to the appointment unless this is necessary or unavoidable.

If you are bringing a baby, please bring a clean muslin cloth for them to lie on whilst they are being examined. You may wish to bring your own toys and books for your children.

Thank you for helping us to ensure the wellbeing of all those who visit and work in our clinic.