COVID-19 Practice Policy (updated 01/01/2021)

The practice remains open with special Covid-19 measures in place.  Our normal strict infection control procedures remain with intensive cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization occurring between each client. We can assure you the health and well-being of both patients and staff is of paramount importance. Please read below to see our practice policies in place for your safety.

IF YOU HAVE FEVER, PERSISTENT COUGH, COLD & FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS IN THE LAST 7 DAYS OR IF A MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS, PLEASE STAY AT HOME, AND CANCEL ANY APPOINTMENT YOU MAY HAVE MADE WITH US ASAP & ISOLATE YOURSELVES. IN ADDITION TO THIS PLEASE CALL 119 AND ORGANISE TO BE TESTED (APPOINTMENTS CAN BE POSTONED OVER THE PHONE OR ONLINE)

To reduce the spread of infection, we request that ALL patients do the following:

• When booking an appointment, you will be asked if you have had a high temperature, cough or loss of taste or smell in the last 7 days, and if anyone in your household has had these symptoms. If the answer is YES to either of these questions, you will NOT be able to attend for treatment. If you or anyone in your household develop these symptoms after you have made your appointment, then you will NOT be able to attend for treatment and will need to cancel your appointment ASAP.
• Only 1 person at a time can enter the practice. If you are brought by a family member, they will have to wait outside or in the car. If you can only attend for an appointment with a carer, please let us know and we will make sure that the carer can accompany you.
• Please try to enter the practice just prior to your appointment time to allow the waiting areas to be kept clear.
• James and John are both in the practice treating clients on Tuesdays and Fridays and we have set up two separate waiting areas for each treatment room for these days. Please follow the signage which will make it clear which waiting area is intended for you.
• On arrival at the clinic please use the anti-viral hand wipes or gel on entering and leaving the practice.
• You must wear a face mask or covering when on the premises.  This is compulsory.
• To avoid as much surface contact, we ask for you to pay by card (contactless preferred)  where possible
• We would be grateful if patients could only enter the clinic just prior to their appointment time in order to limit the number of people on the premises at any one time. If you are arriving on public transport, then please of course come in and wait in your designated waiting area.
• We are operating a comprehensive telephone reception service where appointments can be made, but when you arrive at the clinic there will not be anyone at the front desk.
• If a person NEEDS a chaperone or guardian when attending for an appointment, we would be grateful if they could limit this to one person where possible.

What our Podiatrist will do and how we will operate:

• We, the Podiatrists will wear FFP2 & 3 face masks ourselves, which filter 94% and 99% of particles respectively, these are used by health professionals, and are in short supply & expensive. As well as the face masks we will also be wearing visors, gloves, and plastic aprons during your treatment.
• We will be treating your feet behind protective screens.
• We are sanitising door handles, card machines and waiting room surfaces between every patient.
• We continue to allow additional time between appointments to carry out thorough cleaning procedures.
• The clinic will operate a one way system with the entrance and exit being at opposite sides of the building. This is to ensure appropriate social distancing is maintained. For this to work we may require you to pay before treatment.
• It may be necessary to close the clinic at any time if we are advised to by the relevant organisations and/or if any of our staff show any symptoms, or if we decide closure is of the benefit of public health

We will continue to operate under guidance from the Government, NHS & Public Health England, The College of Podiatry & The Health & Care Professions Council (COP)

The health and well-being of our patients and staff and the wider community is our most important priority and we wish everyone and their family good health.