06/06/2020
40-60% of people that test positive to Covid-19 are asymptomatic, we cannot therefore be too careful. As responsible professionals, we have to assume that everyone has the potential to be spreading the virus and it is our job to prevent forward transmission.
Every day we hear how some service providers are exposing their clients to unnecessary risks by not taking the proper infection control measures or not wearing the correct PPE.
It has taken weeks to source the correct PPE and i have been busy studying the guidance from:
UK Government
Public Health England
Health and Caring Professions Council
College of Podiatry
As a result, i have completed a risk assessment and taken the necessary steps to adapt the clinic so that we can all be kept safe.
The relaxed atmosphere now exchanged for a minimalist environment, surfaces, kept clear for ease of decontamination
One of the things i love most about my clinic is the conversations i have with my patients, but now ill be in a mask,apron and visor/glasses and keeping contact to a minimum.
We hope routine appointments can resume in July but currently you can only get a podiatry appointment if:
You have a medical condition that puts your feet at risk,
You have a lesion (corn/callus/wound/ulcer) or nail that is painful rendering it difficult to perform your daily routines.
The rules are complex, so if you are in pain, please do call for more information.
You can no longer just pop in to make an appointment. Telephone to make an appointment and you will be triaged (asked a series of questions about your health and problem) to see if you qualify for an appointment or not.
If you develop any symptoms of Covid-19 before your appointment, please cancel your appointment.
When you arrive for your appointment
1. Wait in your car until your appointment time. If you have come on public transport or walked there is a chair in the porch for you to sit and wait until you are called.
Come alone (unless you need a carer)
You may like to bring your own mask if you prefer, but it is not a necessity.
After treatment the practioner (me) withdraws from the room followed by you
Endeavour to keep the 2 metre rule as much as possible
Payments and rebookings are performed at the desk in reception whilst standing 2m apart. I do now take contactless card payments.
Finally, if at all possible avoid using our WC facilities.
The aim is to keep contact exposure time to a minimum.
I am leaving long gaps between patients to allow for cleaning down all the surfaces and donning/doffing PPE. Appointments are staggered so there will never be more than one patient in the waiting room.
This means that I cannot see as many patients per day but also have much greater expenses than usual. For this reason my treatment fee has been increased to £30. Once things return to normal I will lower this surcharge. As always thank you for your understanding in this matter.
