Coronavirus (COVID-19): 17 March
Organisations are rapidly trying to adapt their working practices in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The situation is evolving rapidly and the government have advised they will now provide daily updates in an attempt to deal with the spread of the virus and its impact on individuals, organisations, and businesses.
Our current thinking at the BAcC is to provide a weekly enews round-up to ensure members are advised and clear about government measures. We also encourage every one of you to help yourselves and your patients by keeping up to date with the latest government guidance.
As of Monday 16 March, the key new measures from government are:
- everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres
- everyone should work from home if they can
- all ‘unnecessary’ visits to friends and relatives in care homes should cease
- people should only use the NHS ‘where we really need to’ – and can reduce the burden on workers by getting advice on the NHS website where possible
- by next weekend, those with the most serious health conditions must be ‘largely shielded from social contact for around 12 weeks’
- the UK is now ‘three weeks’ behind Italy – the worst-hit country in Europe
- if one person in any household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days
- those people should, if possible, avoid leaving the house ‘even to buy food or essentials’ – but they may leave the house ‘for exercise and, in that case, at a safe distance from others’
- schools will not be closed for the moment
Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said the group of people who should take ‘particular care to minimise their social contact’ are:
- anyone over the age of 70
- other adults who would normally be advised to have the flu vaccine, such as those with chronic diseases
- pregnant women
Southwell Acupuncture Clinic – Practicing
Please note, the government have not yet provided specific details that allow for a definitive answer to this question. Acupuncture clinics are not classed as ‘social’ settings and so do not fall under the social gathering category. My practice contributes to the health and wellbeing of my patients.
The government have advised that all people over 70 (regardless of medical conditions), pregnant women, and those suffering from chronic diseases should take ‘particular care’ to limit social contact.
As long as there is no clear government instruction regarding the closing of clinics, it is up to each individual practitioner to consider government advice, and you should act in your own best interests.
The one-to-one clinic setting with a BAcC acupuncturist is possibly one of the safest and virus free places your patient is likely to visit. In these times, when immunity and wellness is key, please consider this before closing your clinic doors.
As general precautionary advice I will screen patients before they come to my clinic, contacting 24 hours before appointment.
How clean is my clinic?
Before all this happened acupuncture practice governed by the British Acupuncture Council has strict Codes of Conduct and Safety that I follow to in my practice. My past experience as an Enrolled Nurse makes me also very aware of cleniness and cross infection control. For more information please do check BAcC website https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/#
Clean paper towels are available at all times, to disinfect/clean desks, handles, chairs, and treatment couch are disinfected after each patient.
Each patient is asked to wash hands when arrive in clinic.
For more information contact Hannah on ;- https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/
