Update from July 19th

I'm delighted to say we are now able to treat all conditions as normal again.  I will continue to wear a mask and will continue to ask my clients to do the same if they are able.  I was going to delete the information below but feel I want to keep it as a historical record.

For more details with respect to our working practices and Covid 19 please see the page on the British Acupuncture Council website

 

As lockdown is slowly relaxed during this difficult Covid-19 epidemic I am pleased to announce that I and my colleagues might finally be allowed to get back to work.

As we return to work our foremost concern is to keep our patients as safe as we possibly can whilst continuing to provide the service you are used to receiving.  For clinic specific details please click on the clinic links: Gloucester     

Entering the Clinic

Please wear a mask to your appointment.  If you don't have one we will provide one for you.  Do let us know if you aren't able to wear a mask for a medical condition.  On entering the clinic please wash your hands with the gel which will be provided.

Covid-19 Consent Form

Patients will be contacted by myself or reception the day before their treatment to check they don't have symptoms of Covid-19 and have not been in contact with someone who does.  You can view the form here

Click here for the government's guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.

Vulnerable People

A proper risk assessment will have to be made before you attend for treatment.  Click here for a list of vulnerable and very vulnerable people.

Cleaning

The treatment room and all communal areas of the building will be cleaned thoroughly.  High frequency contact areas will be disinfected regularly throughout the day.

Shared contact areas such as external and internal door handles, chairs, desks, treatment tables, surfaces in the toilet and payment terminals will be cleaned daily and disinfected before each patient.

Couch covers will not be used so the couch can be cleansed between each patient.  Pillow covers will be changed between each patient or plastic pillow cases will be disinfected.  Blankets and couch face holes will no longer be used.

All waste bins are no touch bins

Hand washing

Patients will be asked to wash or sanitise their hands immediately upon entering the clinic - alcohol-based gel will be available for this.

Practitioners and staff will wash their hands frequently throughout the day and through each individual appointment (and always before and after touching a patient).  Hand washing is deemed more important than glove wearing.

Payment

Please pay by card.  Cash and cheques are not currently accepted.

Ensuring social distancing.

Appointments will be staggered, with more time between patients.  Please see the individual clinic details for specific details.  Gloucester.  South Cerney.  As far as possible a social distance of 2 metres will be maintained between all people on the premises.  This won't be possible during the actual treatment.

Face coverings

Patients are kindly asked to please wear a mask when they visit the clinic.  These can come in the form of homemade cloth face coverings or surgical masks.  If you need a mask one will be made available to you.  The only time I won't ask you to wear a mask is if it is essential to treat the face.  I will then wear an N95 mask and face shield.  Otherwise practitioners are advised to wear a Type 11R or Level 2 fluid resistant surgical mask FRSM:  This is the type of mask recommended by the NHS to be used when within two metres of a possible or confirmed case of Coronavirus (Covid-19).  This kind predominantly has one-way protection, i.e. when properly fitted it captures bodily fluid, eg coughs and sneezes leaving the wearer of the mask.  They are for single use or single session use and then must be discarded.

Disposable gloves

Disposable gloves will be worn when providing direct patient care.  Gloves are subject to single use and will be disposed of immediately after completion of a procedure or task and after each patient contact.

Clothing, disposable gowns, aprons

Disposable gowns/aprons are not deemed as required in the clinic.  However our clothing must be changed if it becomes contaminated with aerosol contaminants such as being coughed on, and at the end of each session.  For this reason I will be wearing scrubs which can be washed at 60°C.

Chinese Tongue Diagnosis

As Covid-19 is spread through droplet contagion, close examination of the tongue represents a significant increase in risk.  The British Acupuncture Council suggests  making a tongue diagnosis by means of patient self-photo before the appointment or by webcam should be considered.  If tongue diagnosis is done in person a plastic visor may be considered in addition to a face mask.

General Diagnosis

Patients will be seen on an hourly rotation.  This allows plenty of time to chat but for new patients, or for old patients with new conditions, a diagnosis and consultation can be done remotely.  There will be no extra charge for this.  A day or so before the appointment we will exchange a phone or video call.  This will ensure plenty of time in the clinic to give you a full treatment.

After your appointment

Please let me or the clinic know if you develop  Covid-19 symptoms or have a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 within 14 days of your treatment.  This is not necessary if we haven't had close contact (which may be the case if you just came to chat about your condition).

Hand Washing