The Good Physio is opening again for face to face consultations from 1 June 2020

We would like to update you on how we are going to slowly reintroduce services again over the next few weeks and months now that we have been given more scope to return to practice as 'normal'.

The purpose of this update is to ensure that patients who are now coming in for face to face consultations are aware of the measures that have been put into place to allow this to happen safely and effectively.  This is under the guidance provided by the Government, Public Health England as well as the body that governs the physiotherapy profession, the CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy).

Risk assessments have now been completed to cover all aspects of physiotherapy practice at 34 Denmark Street.  This has resulted in the practice being given a government certificate for safe practice during COVID-19. 

These assessments have identified potential hazards in relation to infection prevention, and, as far as possible, changes have been made to mitigate any risk to patients.

• Practitioners will be checking their temperature before leaving for work as well as on arrival at work and clearly we will not be working if a temperature over 37.8 degrees is recorded or there are any other signs or symptoms that are deemed to be reliable markers of potential infection from COVID-19.

• It is recommended that patients who could have effective treatment via virtual consultation should choose this method of physiotherapy until the regulations are relaxed further or until you yourself feel confident that you are ready to be seen in person given your individual circumstances.  It is fair to say that, in most cases, face to face treatment is likely to result in significantly more effective clinical outcomes over and above providing advice and basic exercise over the phone.  Please get in touch and discuss this with us if you are not sure.

• The entrance to Denmark Road will be the same as usual but there will now be a separate exit in order to help maintain social distancing.

• There will be a limited number of practitioners allowed to practice at any one time so that the total number of patients and practitioners in the building also allows for adequate social distancing to be maintained.

• Patients will be asked to sanitise their hands on entry and have their temperature checked at reception using a non-contact thermometer.  Anyone who has a temperature that is higher than normal will not be able to enter the building and will be advised to go home, monitor their condition and follow NHS guidance for potential Covid-19 infection.

• Appointments will be scheduled allowing a 15 minute gap between patients for thorough cleaning of all surfaces to be carried out in the treatment rooms as well as the area from the waiting room to that treatment room.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be worn where necessary and include face mask, goggles, apron and gloves.  This will be changed for every patient contact.  

• Additional consent will be sought from patients during this period. This is needed in order to demonstrate that risks have been identified and discussed and that both patient and practitioner are happy to proceed with contact based assessment and treatment.

Please feel free to get in touch to discuss any of the issues raised here.  We would also welcome any suggestions you may also have in order to facilitate a return to more normal practice as quickly as possible.  We will always consider your, and our own, safety above anything else.

In the meantime it is worth mentioning again the importance of the basic measures that we should all be sticking to that break the chain of infection.  These are simple - social distancing and regular hand-washing before and after contact with any surfaces that may potentially be home to viruses.

Thank you and we hope you continue to stay safe and well,

The Good Physio team.