We're Back!
I'm very pleased to announce that my clinic will be re-opening its doors after 3 months!
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on my business but I'm pleased to say that I've been able to make the most of the situation.
I would like to express my thanks to all of you that trusted the virtual appointments, discount vouchers and my online courses. Because of you all, the last 3 months have actually been quite an enjoyable learning curve.
But I'm ready to make another start and hopefully pick up where many of you halted your rehabilitation. I'm really hoping that you've been able to keep up with your programmes at home. If not, don't worry, it's never too late to pick it all back up again, and get yourselves back on the road to recovery!
I'm hoping you haven't forgotten what the clinic looks like! I've popped in now and then to pick up mail and check on things. It's been so strange to see the lights off and the fridge unplugged. From the moment I moved in, it's always been a busy place with people coming and going almost every day. My husband is there right now finishing off the carpentry for the reception desk and shelving.
The clinic looks the same, but as I think of returning, I know that it will not be the same for a long time, at least until a vaccine is found. So I need to tell you some important information before you start booking your appointments (I know some of you have more than likely scrolled down already to find the 'BOOK NOW' button!).
Here's some really important information to read before you book your face-to-face appointments:
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS ONGOING
I will continue to offer virtual appointments while the clinic re-opens and into the future. So, for those of you wishing to continue with your virtual appointments as in the last 3 months, you can continue and book in online as before. I have, however, moved away from Zoom and will be using Cliniko (my practice software) as this will save my valuable time. There will be a transition to Cliniko over the next few weeks, so if you have been sent a Zoom Invitation, please use that one. For appointments booked from now, it's likely that you will receive a link from Cliniko directly.
NEW PATIENT VIRTUAL TRIAGE
In order to comply with government guidance, all new patients will have to book a 15 minute telephone or virtual triage session. This will enable me to assess whether a face-to-face appointment in clinic is appropriate. Not all patients will be suitable for face-to-face appointments. Virtual appointments will still be available for those shielding, with symptoms, contact with those with symptoms and those outside the 5 mile distance described as 'local' by the government.
FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENTS IN-CLINIC
Well, I've just about finished trawling my way through 6 pages of checklists from PhysioFirst (the private physio support group) necessary prior to re-opening a physio clinic. I have made the clinic as safe an environment as possible and to ensure this safety continues, I need you to read the following information so that you are aware of the new procedures I have put in place for in-clinic appointments.
1. Please attend on time and not too early to ensure that there is no risk of more than 1 patient in clinic at any one time.
2. You do not need to wear a face mask or other PPE unless you prefer to. If you do want to wear a mask, please bring your own. If you are wearing gloves, please remove and throw away prior to entering the clinic. New gloves can be provided if necessary when you arrive.
3. On arrival, the electronic door lock will remain as before but will be disinfected after each patient leaves. Please activate the lock by touching it and then enter the code (see booking confirmation/reminder email for the code).
4. On entering the clinic, please use the 'hands-free' sanitiser dispenser on the reception desk to decontaminate your hands. Feel free to sit in the reception sofas or use the toilet (through the door on the left and then on the right of the corridor). If you use the toilet, please inform me so that I can clean it when you leave the clinic.
5. Please do not bring friends or family with you to the clinic unless absolutely necessary. If the friend or family member is able to remain in the car during your appointment, this is ideal. If you feel you need to bring someone with you to clinic, please inform me by email as soon as possible so that I can complete a risk assessment.
6. During your appointment, all non-contact parts of the session will be conducted at a 2m distance to comply with the government guidelines on social distancing. For physical examination and treatment, there is a time limit of 15 minutes per patient. This means that we will need to prioritise what we can look at and treat during this time. All questions, goal setting, treatment planning and exercise provision can be completed while socially distancing.
7. I will be wearing PPE throughout each session, this PPE has been purchased according to government recommendations and for your health and safety. The standard PPE will be a plastic apron, latex free gloves and a surgical fluid repellent face mask. I will add a visor or goggles for close contact, especially vaginal and rectal examinations.
8. If at all possible, please pay for your appointment online. If booking online, there is an opportunity to pay by card when you book your appointment. If you are unable to use this system, you will need to contact me directly to book your appointment.
9. You will be asked to have your temperature taken by hands-free device on entering the clinic. If your temperature is raised on assessment, you may be asked to leave the clinic.
10. For mums with children, please try to find some form of childcare so that you can visit the clinic on your own. If this is not at all possible, you may bring your child but strict social distancing must be adhered to at all times. For example, children who are brought in a pram or car seat should remain in the pram or car seat for the duration of the appointment. Older children can sit in the treatment room at a 2m distance from the therapist. If you know that your child(ren) will be unable to maintain social distancing, it may be better to continue with virtual appointments until childcare options become available.
11. ***MOST IMPORTANTLY*** Please do not attend clinic if you have symptoms of a high temperature or fever, a new and persistent cough or the loss of the senses of taste or smell. This is for the safety of myself and all my other clients who will be attending after you. Please cancel your appointment if you have this symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who is now showing symptoms.
12. Those coming to clinic need to know that I will be keeping a record of who has attended so that if necessary, I can provide contact details for tracing in the future. The details held will include your name, telephone number and email address, who you have been in contact with (me) and the date and time of contact. It is unlikely that the government will need this information, but you should know that I have to legally maintain these records during the pandemic.
The above information is really important to read prior to booking your appointment.
If you book for an in-clinic appointment, please ensure you are not symptomatic of COVID-19, not required to shield (have you had a letter from Dr Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales?) and not further than 5 miles from the clinic.
If any of these guidelines change, I will let you know, but all apply until further notice.
Price List
Virtual Assessment £70
Virtual Follow Up £45
Virtual Triage £15
In-Clinic Assessment £90
In-Clinic Follow Up £55
The above prices will come into effect on 22nd June 2020
Due to the need to take online payments on booking, treatment packages are currently unavailable.
If you have purchased a discount voucher(s) during the last 3 months, please contact me by email to book your appointment. The opportunity to purchase discount vouchers is now closed.
That's all the information you need right now. If you have questions or concerns, please let me know. The main concern I have received is the 5 mile distance. It's not far, I know, but hopefully this guidance will change over the next few weeks and months. As soon as I know of changes to the guidelines, I will let you know by email and on social media. Please like and follow my pages to stay completely up to date.
If you would like to book your appointment, please click here.
This is another time of transition and change and I'm almost certain that there will be questions, concerns and the obvious technical hitches. Please bear with me as I respond to each email. I will continue to keep you all updated via this newsletter and on my social media pages.
I'm really looking forward to returning on 22nd June 2020 and restoring some level of normality and effective treatment options.
Best wishes,
Gillian x
Author
Gillian McCabe
Author
Gillian is a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist and owner of Gillian McCabe Physiotherapy Ltd. She has over 15 years professional experience in the field of pelvic health and provides bespoke physiotherapy services to women in her clinic in Cardiff, UK.
