Infection Risk Assessment and Mitigation Measures: Overview

Undertaken a risk assessment : 06/06/2020 and updated 05/06/2022. We have assessed our practice for risks outlined and put in additional processes as detailed below

  • This risk assessment will be under constant review according to the changes in guidance from the Government, UK Health Security Agency, GOsC and iO.

Heightened cleaning regimes:

  • Clinic rooms will be cleaned between each patient - aired for droplets to settle and cleaning of all contact surfaces.

  • Hard surfaces in the waiting area to be cleaned after every patient if it has been used.

Increased protection measures:

  • All waiting area and treatment room furniture can be wiped clean and disinfected.

  • All linens have been removed from the treatment rooms.

  • Magazines, leaflets and toy boxes have been removed from the waiting area and treatment rooms.

  • Signposting infection prevention and control measures and hand-washing / use of sanitiser instructions for patients.

  • A tray is provided into which patients can place their personal belongings (phone, keys, jewellery etc.) and a box for clothing and shoes during their treatment session

  • PPE is available for the osteopaths to be worn for all treatments carried out and disposed of appropriately.

  • Payment can be made by contactless payments whenever possible, protected pin-pad credit/debit card or by BACS transfer.

  • Hand sanitiser is available in the waiting area and treatment rooms.

  • Patients will be contacted by phone or by online form for screening Covid-19 risk and vulnerability, if a remote consultation is appropriate this will be organised in preference to a face-to-face treatment.

  • Patients may choose to wear a face covering. They can use their own, or a face mask can be provided (there will be a £1 surcharge).

  • As a private enterprise, and in order to balance the interest of the patient in receiving treatment with the risk posed to osteopaths and other patients, we will continue to offer;

    • a telephone/virtual consultation,

    • recommend an alternative practitioner or clinic that is able to offer treatment, and/or

    • refer to GP for access to NHS services.

  • Osteopaths will consider wearing additional PPE in line with prevailing guidelines.

  • We reserve the right to take a patient’s temperature, record it and, if concerned, to decline to treat that patient

  • All practitioners will monitor their own temperature and make a clinical judgment of their fitness to work.

  • All practitioners will follow prevailing guidelines if they, or any member of their household, develop any symptoms of Covid-19, whether diagnosed or not.

Put in place distancing measures:

  • Appointment times have been staggered to reduce the number of patients arriving at any one time.

  • Patients are asked not to arrive early for their appointments, to remain in their car until 5 mins before and ring the Clinic, to be met on arrival in the building.

  • Patients will be seated at the appropriate distance from the osteopath during health record taking and appropriate distancing will be respected during accompanying patients entering and leaving the building.

Training:

  • Thorough hand-washing technique as best practice (signage above sinks).

  • NHS video demonstrating correct technique for donning and doffing PPE.

  • All new and updated clinic policies and infection measures have been discussed and circulated to all practitioners.

Providing remote / tele-health consultations:

  • All new and returning patients for their first appointment since March 23rd 2020 will have an online form and/or telephone pre-screening call for discussion of Covid-19 infection risk, vulnerability assessment and appropriateness of a face-to-face appointment.

  • Where suitable, patients will be offered a remote consultation or telephone support.

(Document last updated: 05/06/2022)