COVID 19 Policy - last updated 22nd February 2022

COVID-19 Risk Assessment
I carried out a full risk assessment, when I started working again after the very first lockdown, in line with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and my professional association the Federation of Holistic Therapists, and have amended this as and when things changed in terms how covid risk should be managed.
Whilst most restrictions have now been removed in the UK, there are still a few things that I would like to carry on doing withing my practice to keep myself and my clients safe, many of whom are in the vulnerable category.

Health screening
Prior to seeing any clients, I will be:

• monitoring my own health, and taking a lateral flow test twice a week, deferring treatments if I have COVID-19 or symptoms or have a positive test result.

• contacting my clients 2-3 days in advance of their and deferring any treatments if: they have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19; are clinically extremely vulnerable and shielding; anyone in their household has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19.

• asking my clients to call and cancel and defer treatment on the morning of their appointment if they have a temperature or other symptoms of COVID-19. Rescheduling will not incur a cost.

Enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures
I have introduced enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures between clients, which includes washing and disinfecting any non-porous surfaces and therapy equipment, such as chairs and couches, and replacing any porous or single-use items, such as towels and couch roll. Strict personal hygiene measures will also be adhered to, including regular handwashing/ sanitising. I will stick with all of these.

Cancellations policy
If a treatment is cancelled or deferred at short notice because a client has COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19, any standard cancellation fees will be waivered.

I'm also happy to be contacted to discuss anything you might be worried about at this time. 
silke@themassagepractice.co.uk
078165742266

What to expect AKA what will an appointment be like now? 

Have a look and a read below to get an idea of what it currently involves coming for a treatment - it may involve a few more hoops than usual, but the massage is still gooooood!

Before your appointment: 

You will be asked to complete an online screening form regarding exposure to Covid-19 before your appointment. If you are considered a high-risk client, it may not be possible to massage you at this time, or I may have to take extra precautions to keep you safe. If you are in a high risk category, we can discuss how we can move forward.

I will be taking my temperature on the day of the treatment and you will be asked to take yours also. I am taking a lateral flow test twice a week.

At your appointment: 

Please bring your own water with you. Please avoid wearing jewelry and leave any unnecessary things like bags, jackets, wallets etc in your car or at home.
When you arrive, you will be asked to take off your shoes and sanitise your hands (sanitiser provided), and walk to the practice room touching as little as possible. The treatment room has been de-cluttered so everything is easy to wipe down between clients.
The massage table will have been thoroughly disinfected and all linens are cleaned after each use.

I will be wearing a mask for the duration of our time together.

Increased ventilation is a major part of infection prevention, so weather permitting, the windows will be open. In colder weather I plan on keeping the door to the treatment room open to increase air flow. 

After your treatment:

After your massage, please leave all linens, sheets etc on the table. I will wash these immediately along with my clothes, which I'll be changing between treatments - I have chosen this instead of wearing an apron. Easily done for me as I work from home. Please sanitise your hands after you've gotten dressed. If you need to use the bathroom, you are able to, but I would ask that you flush the toilet with the lid down. Ideally you wouldn't use the bathroom, but I'm not going to let you struggle home with a full bladder. 

Payment should be made prior to  or just after the appointment via Direct Transfer to avoid touching card machines or money. 

There will be at least a 30-minute gap between clients, to enable disinfection of the practice space, therapy table, hallways and bathrooms etc, with enough time to dry and take effect.

GDPR considerations

Should you, another client, myself, or someone in my household show Covid symptoms, it will become necessary to contact the UK's health protection team for track and trace purposes. Please bear in mind that this will impact the normal GDPR regulations that I operate under. Unprecedented times, right? 

Cancellation policy 

If a treatment is cancelled or deferred at short notice because you have symptoms of COVID-19, any standard cancellation fees will be waivered. If I have to cancel or postpone a treatment due to showing symptoms or a local lockdown being imposed (either on myself or my childcare facilities), I will aim to get you booked back in at the earliest possible time. 

For all of the above, I'm following guidelines issued by the government, NHS and my professional association, the APNT. I've carried out a full risk assessment of my therapy business to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19), please let me know if you would like to see it. Everything is subject to change as the situation evolves and I will do my best to keep you updated. If you're ever unclear or concerned about anything, please ask. 

Guidelines for home visits will differ of course but as they don't apply to as many of you, I will send those out individually to those of you who I see in your own homes. I am hoping to start home visits again towards the end of the summer but they carry a higher risk to me, and are currently not advised. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation - let's keep each other safe.