Face-to-face appointments

Ultimately, Amersham Osteopathic Clinic is doing all that is reasonable to minimise risk while remaining open. However, we cannot eliminate all risk, primarily as COVID-19 can be spread by those showing no symptoms.

What you can do:

• Please arrive at the time of your appointment to avoid cross-contamination.
• Please try not to be late as I now need extra time between patients for additional hygiene procedures. 
• Unless you need a chaperone, please do not bring anyone with you.
• I will leave the door slightly ajar to avoid the need to use the handle, (it is sanitised between patients if you need to use it) or use your sleeve or other covering to open
• Please let me know you have arrived before entering the reception so I can put on my fresh PPE
• If you think you will get thirsty, please bring a water bottle to avoid cross-contamination.
• Please do wear a face-covering if that makes you feel safer.

What I am doing

Additional Precautions and Infection Control Measures

I have updated infection control measures 

• To offer an extra level of protection, I have now have a minimum 15 minute gap between patients to allow sanitising and disinfecting of equipment and fixtures, aeration and time to change PPE
• I will be wearing PPE for your protection including a face mask, disposable gloves, and will be changing my clinic top between each patient until guidance changes.
• My sink is available for your use as required for you to wash hands / face, there is fresh paper towel for you to dry hands / face
• Touchable hard surfaces that have been used will be sanitised between patients; including door handles, taps, card payment machines, chair, desk (as well as the usual cleaning procedures).
• The treatment couch now has a wipe clean sheet which is now sprayed and wiped down with medical-grade sanitiser between appointments.
• Magazines and soft furnishings such as seat cushions have been removed, any cushions used to support you during treatment will be placed under the plastic sheet.
• Children’s soft toy have been removed;  plastic toys and wooden puzzles will be wiped clean after each use, but I encourage you to please bring your own toys to minimise the cleaning burden.
• I have a wipe clean mat for children who want to sit and play on the floor.

Payment

Contactless payment /  card payment is preferred. The card machine is sanitised between patients. Other payment methods can be arranged.

Practitioner Health

At this moment, I am not and no members of my household are exhibiting any symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. If anyone develops any symptoms that could indicate COVID-19 infection, your face-to-face appointment will be cancelled with as much notice as possible, and all patients treated in the previous 14 days contacted ASAP

When not to attend

I cannot see you in person if

• you or anyone you live with has received a letter or text to inform you are in an high-risk / clinically extremely vulnerable category, or you live with someone in an extremely high-risk group
• you have returned from overseas within the last 21 days
• you or anyone in your household develop a fever, new cough or shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell or taste, vomiting or diarrhoea before your appointment. Under this circumstance, there will be no late cancellation fee for not attending for this reason, but I would be grateful for as much notice as possible.

I am offering video / telehealth consultations for those who are vulnerable / high risk / do not need a face to face appointment at this time.

Please call the clinic  or email me via this website to get any advice or if you have any questions.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update 20.5.2020

Osteopaths are now able to see patients face to face after telephone triage to assess and determine if a face to face appointment is necessary

Treating in person will be a joint decision based on my professional clinical judgement and you, the patient, following the updated guidance regarding osteopathic practice it as it changes

Using established and updated measures and precautions, I consider there is a low-risk of transmission within the clinic of the virus SARS-CoV-2, that causes COVID-19. However, it is essential to understand that attending a face to face, with hands-on treatment cannot be a completely risk-free situation.

Although this latest government guidance allows osteopaths to continue to practise, please do consider making use of my telehealth / video appointment service (via Skype / FaceTime / Zoom / WhatsApp)

High-Risk Groups

I am able to see patients who are in the moderate risk / vulnerable category (those who are pregnant, are 70 or older, have a non severe lung condition, have a chronic illness or who have a condition or are taking medication that means they have a higher risk of getting infections) after we have done a telephone triage and assessed if a face to face treatment is appropriate.

If you are in a high risk / extremely vulnerable demographic (you have been diagnosed with cancer. are immune-compromised for various reasons) and have received a letter from the NHS.informing you of this, you are recommended NOT to receive face-to-face osteopathic care at this time. If your condition is very urgent ie: you would otherwise be attending your GP / Consultant / A&E, please do call and I will offer what advice I am able.

Hygiene Policy and Infection Control

Our health and safety  is my priority;  this is how I am responding:

I have updated infection control measures alongside my normal clinic hygiene procedures. There is now a minimum 15-minute gap between appointments to “clean and prep”, and aerate the treatment room and reception area. My sink is available as required for you to wash hands / face, there is fresh paper towel for you to dry hands / face

Additional Precautions and Infection Control Measures

I will be wearing PPE for your protection including a face mask, disposable gloves, and a change of clinic coat for each patient until guidance changes.

My treatment couch now has a wipe clean sheet which is now sprayed with disinfectant and wiped down with medical-grade sanitiser between appointments.

To offer an extra level of protection, the new gap between patients allows time for sanitising / disinfecting of equipment and fixtures, aeration, changing PPE as well as supporting distancing

Touchable hard surfaces that have been used will be sanitised between patients; including door handles, taps, card payment machines, chair, desk, etc.

Soft furnishings such as seat cushions have been removed. Children’s soft toy have been removed; plastic toys and wooden puzzles are wiped clean after each use, but I encourage you to please bring your own toys to minimise the cleaning burden.

Contactless / card payment is preferred, other payment methods can be discussed.

Video appointments (via Skype / FaceTime / Zoom / WhatsApp and other platforms if necessary) and telephone consultations are recommended for those need exercises checked and modified / need home care advice or are at high risk but want some osteopathic support and help dealing with stress or getting moving again at this time

To arrange this, please call on 01494 434 651 or fill in this contact link .

A 2017 systematic review found evidence supporting effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in decreasing pain intensity and frequency, as well as reducing future pain episodes in adults with headache. The study was reviewing the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of osteopathy in patients with primary headaches

Cerritelli F, Lacorte E, Ruffini N, Vanacore N. Osteopathy for primary headache patients: a systematic review. J Pain Res. 2017;10:601–611. Published 2017 Mar 14. doi:10.2147/JPR.S130501 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359118/

A new systematic review suggests that a gentle cranial osteopathic technique seems to give functional benefit for some patients.  One study they cited investigated its influence on sleep, another showed reduced pain levels in patients with tension type headaches and other studies suggested it may help relax patients.

A Żurowska, R Malak, et al “Compression of the Fourth Ventricle Using a Craniosacral Osteopathic Technique: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2017, Article ID 2974962, 8 pages, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2974962.

Osteopathy compared to standard care had a better effect at lower cost for low back pain and was seen to be cost effective for neck pain in a trial investigating the health and economic consequences of osteopathic care for low back pain and neck pain compared to standard care

Osteopathic care for low back pain and neck pain: A cost-utility analysis. N.Verhaegheab, J.Schepersac, P.van Dund, L.Annemansa. Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Volume 40, October 2018, Pages 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.06.001