COVID-19 POLICY AND PROCEDURES
I am really looking forward to starting my face-to-face treatments again, although the way in which I work will have to be quite different for a while.
I want to do my utmost to comply with current best practice guidelines regarding safe and hygienic practice and the use of any personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly those issued by the government and any other relevant authorities, my professional bodies and my insurance provider. As a result, this policy will be updated from time to time.
I have carried out a risk assessment of my practices and procedures and this policy outlines the key measures I will currently be taking in order to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) and to ensure that my treatments remain as safe as possible for all my clients. I will also be carrying out a specific risk assessment in relation to each individual client to ensure they receive the best and safest possible treatment.
Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding and co-operation with these measures.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN PRIOR TO TREATMENT
Pre-Treatment Consultations and Forms
Before each treatment session:
- You will first be asked to complete and submit a Consultation Form (or Health Update Form) electronically. Please note that as the Consultation Form has recently been significantly updated, both new and existing clients will have to complete and submit a new Consultation Form for their first appointment from May 2021.
- You will need to book in for a short (15 minute) Pre-Treatment Consultation via telephone or zoom call to discuss your submitted Consultation Form (together with any changes to the information provided) to ensure the face-to-face treatment session is properly suited and tailored to your needs.
- You will be sent a COVID Screening Form by email, which you will be asked to asked to complete and submit electronically just before your appointment.
COVID-19 Health Screening
I will be carefully monitoring my own health in accordance with government recommendations (these are currently to check my temperature daily and before each appointment and take twice weekly lateral flow tests). I will defer/postpone any treatments as soon as possible in advance if I would have to answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions on the Covid Screening Form. I kindly request my clients to do the same so that we can reduce risk of inadvertently transmitting COVID-19.
At-risk groups
If, following consideration of your Consultation Form, it emerges that there are any additional risk factors to consider, we can discuss these during your Pre-treatment Consultation and establish what additional precautions might be taken to protect you. including whether it would be safer for us to work together remotely using some of the alternative treatment modalities I offer for the time being (such as pranic healing, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, diet and lifestyle advice). Please note that in some circumstances, for example if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, high risk or pregnant or if you have had medical treatment for Covid-19, but would still like to go ahead with a face to face treatment, I will ask you to obtain written confirmation from your GP or consultant that it is ok for you to do so.
NHS Test and Trace
You are kindly requested to download the NHS COVID-19 App onto your smartphone prior to your session and use this to scan the NHS Test and Trace QR Code Poster which will be displayed at my premises. This is to help control the spread of Covid-19. If you do not have a smartphone or are unable to do this, I will have to keep your name, contact details and session date on a log for 21 days and pass this information on to the NHS Test and Trace service if required.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Please contact me to re-schedule your appointment if you are due to receive any dose of the COVID-19 or any other vaccine within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment time. If you have recently received a COVID-19 vaccine and are experiencing any side-effects, please carefully consider whether you are well enough to attend your appointment. If these side effects are severe or have persisted for more than 7 days, please contact your GP and also contact me to reschedule or cancel your appointment.
Payment
I will not be taking cash payments for the foreseeable future. Please kindly pay for your session by card payment, PayPal or bank transfer using the details provided when booking.
Cancellation policy
If your treatment is cancelled or deferred at short notice for any of the above reasons, any applicable cancellation fee will of course be waived.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN DURING TREATMENTS
Temperature check on arrival
I will check your temperature upon arrival using a no-touch thermometer. If this is high, I will ask that we postpone your session.
Length of treatment
The current recommendations of my professional bodies are that close contact treatments should not be for longer than 60 minutes.
Social distancing
Although the treatments will inevitably involve close contact, I will continue to observe social distancing guidelines wherever possible before and after your session. The current recommendations are to keep conversation to a minimum particularly during close contact treatments to reduce droplet formation. Unfortunately, this means we will not be able to spend as much time as I would like to catching up during your session, but this will facilitate a more mindful treatment session which can enhance its benefits.
Changing clothes and showering
Given that your treatment will involve close, skin-to-skin contact, I would be grateful if you could please try to change out of any work clothes and shower before attending your treatment, particularly if your appointment is at the end of the day or you are a key worker (particularly a frontline member of NHS staff).
Enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures
I have introduced enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures, which includes thoroughly washing and sanitising all surfaces and equipment in the treatment room and toilet between clients, and regular handwashing and sanitising between clients. You will be asked to thoroughly wash and sanitise your hands using the sanitiser and soap provided when entering and leaving the treatment room.
Face masks
In order to reduce the risk of transmission, it is now mandatory to wear a face mask in enclosed spaces. In line with government recommendations, I will be wearing PPE during your treatment, including a face mask and a visor. It is also currently mandatory for clients attending close contact services such as massage to wear a face covering for the duration of their time on the premises, including during their treatment, even if they have been vaccinated. This is unless removal is essential for a particular treatment (for example whilst I am working on parts of your face under the mask or if you are unable to breathe properly while you are lying prone (on your tummy). If you forget to bring your own mask I can provide you with one. If you are exempt from wearing a mask I will of course respect this, but please do let me know if this is the case prior to your appointment.
Clothing and shoes
When attending your treatment, kindly wear clothes and shoes that are easy to remove and minimise the personal items you bring with you to the session. Where possible, please remove any non-essential items such as jewellery and watches (and, weather permitting, any additional layers) before your treatment and keep them securely at home or in your car. When you arrive, your shoes, clothes and personal items can be place in the shoe bench, drawer and hooks provided (which will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between sessions).
Ventilation
I will thoroughly ventilate the practice room between sessions and will do my best to keep the room well-ventilated during your treatment (by opening the windows/ doors and using the air-conditioning as appropriate).
Adapting or restricting treatments
It may be necessary for me to adapt or restrict certain treatments and practices, in order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and to protect your health and safety. In particular, the time in which I directly face your face and head during any session may be limited.
Towels and linens
There will be a set of clean towels and slippers for you on the shoe bench at the start of your session. The massage bed will have been pre-dressed with clean sheets. Please leave your towels and slippers on the shoe bench at the end of your treatment and leave the sheets on the massage bed for removal and cleaning.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AFTER TREATMENTS
Follow-up
I will contact you after your treatment to arrange a short follow-up conversation and obtain any feedback.
Symptoms
Kindly notify me immediately if you experience any Covid-19 Symptoms in the 14-day period following your treatment.
Further information
It is very important to me that you feel comfortable in resuming your treatments, so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. You can do this by messaging or calling me on 07734 931835.
I look forward to seeing you soon, but in the meantime, stay safe and well.
With best wishes
Sajni Shah, May 2021