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We have taken the following steps in order to be Covid-19 secure. The key steps were initially introduced on 15 June to safely provide an 'urgent care only' practice. After a recent review some minor tweaks have been introduced but most of our adaptions remain to keep you as safe as possible.
Key Steps Taken
1. Treatment Spacing
We are not running at full capacity with appointments having extra spacing between them. This will allow for additional room cleaning time and prevent patient crossover. Inevitably this means that we have less appointment slots available but we will do all we can to accommodate you.
2. Soft Furnishings and Surfaces
All clinic surfaces at River Bank Integrative Health have now been ‘decluttered’, ready for wipe down cleaning and disinfection between the treatments. Rest assured, just like before, all pillowcases and towels are changed after each patient. We already followed good infection control measures, so this is just a little extension to what we already do.
3. Soap & Disinfectant
As has always been the case, I wash my hands prior to any physical contact and again immediately after. I will also ask patients to wash their hands upon arrival. The clinic’s bathroom is now equipped with paper towels and a forearm operated soap dispenser.
4. Opening Doors
Please allow me to open all doors for you on arrival (and exit) at River Bank Integrative Health. Please make use of the banister on your way up/down as all touch areas including door handles and the banister are disinfected between patients.
5. Masks, for You & Myself
I will be wearing a face mask on your arrival and I have also spaced chairs in the treatment room 2m apart. Patients are asked to wear a mask also. You may wear your own mask, but River Bank Integrative Health can provide one if you like.
6. Cleaning
We have fully reviewed our (already robust) cleaning procedures and increased the time between patients for thorough room cleaning and ventilation. The clinic is fully stocked with hand sanitiser, soap, disinfectants, wipes and all other PPE equipment.
7. Toilet Facilities
Our toilet facilities will remain open but we mention that it may be easier to go before or after visiting River Bank Integrative Health. For your convenience 75% alcohol disinfectant wipes are provided, for those who do use our facilities. Please note, these wipes are not flushable and need to be disposed off in the bin provided.
8. Payment
River Bank Integrative Health is now a cashless business. All payments will be taken via bank transfer prior to your appointment at the clinic.
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9 Tips to Remember Before and During Your Treatment
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1. Check Symptoms
I will ask you some Covid-19 health screening questions upon your arrival and may ask to take your temperature with a contactless thermometer.
2. Bathroom
The toilet facilities are open for use, however, at River Bank Integrative Health we encourage you to use your own bathroom before and/or after treatment.
3. Be on Time
Please arrive promptly. Upon your arrival, please wait in your car outside the clinic. Text me when you arrive and I will come out to greet you and open the door for you.
4. Wash & Disinfect
Please wash your hands in our bathroom. Disposable paper towels and a forearm operated soap dispenser are provided for your convenience.
5. Masks
Please wear a mask at all times whilst at River Bank Integrative Health. We have masks available if you forget. If you are having facial acupuncture we will discuss how we will undertake this prior to your appointment.
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6. Consent
Our insurance and good practice requires an increased level of consent from all patients. This is to check that you do not think you are at risk of bringing Covid-19 into River Bank Integrative Health and that you consent to treatment where the practitioner will need to be within two metres of you. This will be emailed to you prior to your appointment or as part of your pre-treatment telephone consultation.
7. Telephone Triage
All new patients (and returning patients with altered treatment objectives) will undergo a telephone call triage prior to their first or restarted treatment. This interview typically takes up to 45 minutes and the objective is to minimise 'talking' time in our shared space. There is no charge for this.
8. Cough and Sneezes
Please adhere to good hygiene practice and cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow to avoid spreading germs, and even better please follow the Catch It, Bin It, Kill It advice. Tissues, waste bins and handwashing facilities are available throughout the clinic.
9. Payment
All payments should be made prior to your physical appointment by bank transfer.
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The above phases are guided by current clinical and government advice. They are also designed to inform our actions in case we are required to restrict practice owing to the Covid-19 infection rate or prevalence increasing.
Following the announcement of the lockdown in England we have returned to Phase 3 - Urgent care and high needs, having initially re-opened on 15 June in Phase 4 - Urgent Care only practice. The Phase 4 practice provided us with the opportunity to embed and test our enhanced C-19 clinical routines, and we are now comfortable with the procedures that are in place.
The Covid-19 related disruption to your acupuncture treatment affects the quality of life of many of you. An increase in (previously acupuncture controlled) chronic pain, reduced mobility, hot flushes, menstrual cycle disorders and often of newly acquired anxiety and sleep disturbances have all been reported to me.
I use my professional judgement to consider who fits into the category of "Urgent care and high needs". This can depend on whether the patient is likely to be significantly affected or require further medication or see a GP if they were not treated. A consideration could also be whether your treatment is time dependant such as in IVF cases.
.This means cosmetic or purely wellbeing treatments are currently suspended. Should your condition, mental health or emotional wellbeing suffer without acupuncture treatment you are very welcome to continue your course of the treatment or approach me for a triage appointment. I judge each case individually and assess whether your treatment is appropriate in the circumstances and record the reasons for my decision in your patient notes.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of your treatment and the safety measures that are in place.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Pavlina
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We Want to Hear Your Suggestions
We want to ensure that your health and safety is catered for from the moment you book your appointment to the moment you walk out of the door.
At River Bank Integrative Health, we have carried out a full risk assessment and worked hard to provide a Covid-19 secure environment.
However, we always look to improve, so if you think of anything else or if you have ANY questions in advance of your treatment, please email us at: pavlinafialova.acupuncture@gmail.com
We are looking forward to seeing you very soon. In the meantime, please do take care and stay safe.
Pavlina
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Social distancing works! Please help us to break the chain of virus transfer. Thank You :-)
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