ABOUT US

Objective - Provide clear statutory guidelines for returning to work in the context of Covid 19.

Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called Coronavirus. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, severe or fatal.

This is a Risk Assessment for dealing with the current Covid-19 situation in our workplace. It is subject to constant review. Please familiarize yourself with it, take responsibility to check it regularly for updates, and be accountable to the standards set out within it.

What are the hazards?

​

Spread of the coronavirus between team members, and to our patients, through direct droplet infection, or physical contact. 

​

Who might be harmed?

​

Staff, patients, visitors to our premises, anyone that comes into contact with us at work, or on our way to and from work

Special consideration:

Anyone who has knowingly been in contact with a person with Covid 19 in the past 2 weeks.

Anyone with, high temperature (above 37.8), a new and continuous cough , loss of taste or smell, flu like symptoms 

Anyone in the high or moderate risk categories 

​

There are 2 levels of higher risk:

​

high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)- these patients will be offered only virtual appointments 

moderate risk (clinically vulnerable)- these patients will be triaged and treated remotely first. If face to face contact is deemed clinically necessary then the patient will need to discuss this with their GP before booking in. 

those that care for or have close contact with people from the high and medium risk categories, and neither of these groups of people should be seen face to face in any circumstances. 

Patients in these risk groups will be identified using a consent form that will be sent with every patient confirmation. Without these consent forms completed, the appointment cannot take place.

Health conditions that need to be screened for are as follows (both for the patient and those they may care for)

People at high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)

People at high risk from coronavirus include people who:

• have had an organ transplant

• are having chemotherapy or antibody treatment for cancer, including immunotherapy

• are having an intense course of radiotherapy (radical radiotherapy) for lung cancer

• are having targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system (such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors)

• have blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)

• have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppressant medicine

• have been told by a doctor they have a severe lung condition (such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD)

• have a condition that means they have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID or sickle cell)

• are taking medicine that makes them much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppressant medicine)

• have a serious heart condition and are pregnant

People at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable)

People at moderate risk from coronavirus include people who:

• are 70 or older

• have a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)

• have heart disease (such as heart failure)

• have diabetes

• have chronic kidney disease

• have liver disease (such as hepatitis)

• have a condition affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)

• have a condition that means they have a high risk of getting infections

• are taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)

• are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)

• are pregnant

Patients who are currently shielding due to a positive Antigen test or been in contact with a positive case , or been contacted by Track and Trace or are in quarantine after travel from restricted countries CANNOT be offered a face to face appointment. 

The list of quarantine countries is changeable and will be monitored via : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel

​

Controls Required

Self reporting of illness / Symptoms of Covid-19

Staff will take their own temperature using a non touch thermometer at the start of every shift. If this is above 37.8, the staff member cannot work.

Every patient will be asked to confirm they have not had symptoms for 2 weeks prior to their appointment. Their temperature will be taken before each appointment and recorded in the notes. If it is above 37.8 they cannot be treated.

If anyone becomes unwell with a new continuous cough or a high temperature in the workplace they will be sent home and advised to follow the government guidance on isolation and testing .

Line managers will maintain regular contact with staff members during this time.

If advised that a member of staff or public has developed Covid-19 and were recently on our premises (including where a member of staff has visited other work place premises such as domestic premises), the management team of the workplace will contact the Public Health Authority to discuss the case, identify people who have been in contact with them and will take advice on any actions or precautions that should be taken. https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/

Hand Washing

This is compulsory for both patients and staff before, during and after every contact

Hand washing facilities with soap and water in place.

Stringent hand washing taking place - see hand washing guidance.

How to wash your hands

Drying hands with paper towels, and disposing of paper towels immediately 

Gel sanitisers in any area where washing facilities not readily available

Social Distancing

Wherever possible all appointments should take place remotely via videolink . 

Therapists must complete a risk assessment, and make a clinically reasoned decision for offering either a face to face or remote consultation for each patient and for each of their planned contacts. They will follow the most recent CSP guidance 

https://www.csp.org.uk/news/coronavirus/clinical-guidance/remote-or-face-face-consultations/flowchart

You must engage your patients in discussions regarding the rationale and preference for either remote or face-to-face consultations. If both parties deem it necessary to proceed with face-to-face care, the patient should be made aware of all current risks associated with this approach. They must give their consent and you must document these discussions and the outcome.

When working face to face with any patient PPE must be worn, please see section below on PPE

​

PPE

PPE equipment will be provided for staff.

​

Facemasks 

​

Both patients and therapist must wear a facemask for all contacts. 

The patient should provide their own facemask, and if they cannot they will only be seen if they purchase, and a £2 cost added to their appointments.

Facemasks can be worn for an entire shift, but can be changed whenever the staff member chooses or the mask becomes wet.

Aprons 

​

Plastic single use aprons will be worn by staff members for every contact and changed between every patient. 

Gloves

​

Gloves will be worn by staff members for every contact and changed between every patient.

Clothing

Every staff member will carry clean clothes on their commute to change into and out of at the start and end of every shift or when they leave the clinic on breaks. All clothing must be washed according to government guidelines which in summary is :

‘uniforms should be transported home in a disposable plastic bag or a reusable cloth bag that can be laundered. Hand hygiene should be performed after removing a uniform and placing it into a bag for transport. Plastic bags should be disposed of into the household waste stream. Cloth bags should be laundered with the uniform.

​

Cleaning

Cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly particularly in areas of high use, between each and every patient will be done by staff.

​

Staff will use the cleaning products provided- spray and a cloth/ paper towel

The floor area will be mopped at the end of each shift using the mop with disinfectant.  

Rubbish bins will be changed at the end of every shift.

​

​

​

​

​