Updates

Changes To Clinical Practice

 

As many of you know, clinical practice changed throughout Covid and new rules dictated by our governing bodies stipulated leaving a minimum of 15 minute gaps in-between treatments for disinfection and Covid paperwork. Once we became more adept with the new way of working, faster, although no less thorough with disinfection, the 15 minute allowance in-between patients because additional appointment and treatment time. Those of you who have been receiving treatments over the past two years will be aware that your 30 minute appointments lengthened to 45 minutes. We believe wellbeing takes time and care, it is important for us to listen thoroughly and give the treatment that each and every one of you needs which means providing the best care and clinic experience.

Inevitably the increase in length of appointments has meant we are unable to see as many patients a day in clinic as we used to. In order to offer appointments to all patients who need to be see each week, we are aiming to bring the length of each appointment back to our original timings. It is important that you receive appropriate and excellent care and therefore we will advise you on the length of time you need, however, if you would prefer to continue with the longer sessions you have become used to, please do book accordingly. Sessions are booked for 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 1 hour.

We are passionate about what we do and will continue to tailor your treatments, aiming to help you become free of any discomfort and restriction, functioning as best you can and feeling well. If you have any questions or queries, please always ask.

 

 

Clinic Remains Open During Lockdown

 

On review of the Government guidance for lockdown on 5th November 2020, the combined advice from our Chiropractic Association, Royal College and General Chiropractic Council, is that we may remain open. We may continue to see patients for face-to-face treatment, while applying stringent risk assessments, triage and infection prevention protocols.

This does mean that prior to appointments you will receive an emailed questionnaire to complete. On arrival at clinic for treatment, you will need to have your temperature taken and complete a Covid-19 checklist.  This protocol is necessary for the clinic to remain open and will help to keep all patients safe.

Please note that special consideration must be given to those of you who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV). CEV have been outlined by Government Guidelines and advised during this lockdown by either a Government letter or by GP to self-isolate.  If you are in this group and treatment is not urgent, you should consider delaying treatment until after lockdown.

Review of Current Guidance on Patient Care During Covid-19 Lockdown

Government guidance on restrictions from 5th November state that you can still travel for certain reasons including hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health.

Obviously there is a risk coming to clinic, but please be assured that I continue to follow the most up-to-date PHE guidance.  I would ask that if you are comfortable wearing a mask for treatment, please do and that you also bring your own towel with you to protect your clothing from any cream used in treatment and to help keep you warm.  If you are unsure at all or would like to discuss anything, please email me directly on info@balancedback2health.com.

I hope to see you soon if you need treatment.  In the meantime, please stay well and safe.

Sarah x

 

 

Clinic Now Open To Treat Those In The "Moderate Risk" Group

 

As of 29th May 2020 our governing body the McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) have said that we can now treat people who are in the gov.uk ‘moderately vulnerable at risk’ group (as long as they are ‘in medical need’) ie those who are:

• Pregnant
• Over 70
• Have certain long-term health conditions/underlying medical conditions as specified.

Underlying medical conditions are defined in Schedule 1 of the government’s Health Protection 2020 Regulations.

However, we are still being recommended to avoid one on one consultations with those considered to be in the "high risk" group i.e. those who are "clinically extremely vulnerable". This is to ensure health and security of everyone that visits the practice. More information on the distinction between "moderate risk" and "high risk" conditions can be found on the NHS website.

We will continue to listen to the advice of our governing body and association and monitor the situation, so please feel free to check this page for updates in the coming months. If you wish to book an appointment you can do so via email, calling reception on 01252 703028 or via the new online bookings page on our website today.

Kind Regards,

Sarah.

 

 

Patient Information Regarding The Risk Of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Transmission At The Clinic

 

The Government published a Statutory Instrument on 26th March 2020, no. 350 ‘The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020’ confirming that it is lawful for a chiropractic practice to remain open. It further defines that the care we may provide be for ‘medical need’ only. The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) and Chiropractic Association (MCA) advised however that clinics be closed on the basis that it has been infeasible to provide face-to-face treatment that reaches the essential threshold of safety as outlined by Public Health England during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the R value of Covid-19 falling below 1 and essential PPE becoming more accessible now, the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), RCC and MCA has now recognised that it may be feasible for some Chiropractors to now offer face-to-face care to some patients*. This is once a stringent risk management process is in place, new protocols adhered to and where there is ‘essential medical/clinical need’ only, with no remote consultation alternative. They state this does not constitute returning to routine face-to-face Chiropractic care at this time.

I am aware that some of you may now be falling into the ‘essential medical need’ category, which has been translated to mean your level of discomfort or pain means you are considering a same day GP appointment for pain relief. I have acquired the relevant PPE required and I want to reassure you that I have conducted a thorough risk assessment to ensure adequate levels of safety at the clinic are implemented and maintained and I will continue to follow the most up-to-date GCC, RCC, MCA and Government guidance as and when it changes. The clinic will feel different and I will certainly look different in my new PPE, but I’m sure we will all get used to it. Stringent patient triage and infection control protocols have to be put into place to protect everyone. As part of this, prior to every appointment made, all Chiropractors must ask patients a series of questions to ensure you are eligible for care and ask for your signed consent.

If you need a face-to-face appointment, please message me at info@balancedback2health, call reception on 01252 703028 or use our online bookings page on the website to make an appointment and the questionnaire and consent form will be sent to you via email. If you do not need a face-to-face appointment we may set up a telehealth appointment for an online consultation to see how we can help. Balanced Back 2 Health is committed to ensuring that every measure is in place to minimise your risk of exposure to Covid-19, but cannot guarantee that there is no risk as a result of attending the clinic.

Covid-19 Transmission Information

Covid-19 is spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth with coughs or exhales. If breathed in by another person, that person can then catch Covid-19. The droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person and other people then catch Covid-19 by touching these surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

The risk of catching Covid-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people experience only mild symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch Covid-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill (World Health Organisation).

Precautions in place at Balanced Back 2 Health

• A full clinic risk assessment has been completed
• All patients seeking an appointment must complete the 1^st stage triage by completing the questionnaire and consent form. Unfortunately at this time, I am unable to accept patients for care who are unable to consent due to being in the ‘vulnerable’ group (as outlined by the Government), or who are self-isolating, living with someone with symptoms, or have been on contact with anyone suspected to have Covid-19
• Should it be possible to help any patient remotely, I will advise of this with an online telehealth appointment rather than see them face-to-face
• A 2^nd triage will be conducted at the Clinic, including a temperature check
• A strict cleaning and infection control protocol will be adhered to – please ask if you would like to see this document
• Appointments will be staggered to ensure adequate time for cleaning in-between patients and to ensure that patients do not meet in clinic and maintain social distancing
• On arrival at the clinic patients will have their temperature taken. Anyone with a temperature above 37.8c will be asked to leave. Patients will then be asked to use hand sanitiser before going straight into the treatment room
• Chiropractors will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment for your protection

Please note the above information is with regard to Chiropractic treatment. The Government Statutory Instrument on 26^th March 2020, did not allow for massage therapy clinics to practice, only Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists for ‘medical need’, working within PHE safety guidelines. I am therefore currently only able to see patients for treatments as a Chiropractor.

Kind Regards,

Sarah

* The ‘vulnerable group’ mentioned in the information above includes those who are Pregnant, Over 70 and those with a long-term health conditions/underlying medical conditions who are still unable to be treated at this time. For more details please read the Government's current legislation regarding the matter, thank you.