Covid-19

Changes to practice

Update November 5th 2020

Acupuncture is classified as a medical profession by the Professional Standards Agency and, following guidance from the British Acupuncture Council, Lydia is still able to support patients who are in need of urgent care or are classified as having high needs. If you think you may need treatment do contact Lydia so she can evaluate whether you can currently be treated under these classifications. Typically she will be able to treat such things as chronic pain and medical conditions, mental health and fertility support.

Update June 2020

Keeping patients healthy and well is at the core of everything that Lydia does. Adhering to the highest hygiene standards is central to this. The advent of Covid 19 means that hygiene standards have been increased in all walks of life.

Following the guidance from the government and her professional body, the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), Lydia has made the following changes:

  1. The treatment room is deep cleaned at the beginning and end of each day with disinfectant. High contact areas, such as the couch, are also cleaned with an alcohol based cleaner between every patient.
  2. Lydia is using hospital-grade PPE, not sourced from suppliers of the NHS and therefore not making demands on their procurement chain.
  3. Lydia follows strict hand washing protocols when both treating and also cleaning the treatment room.
  4. Any linen used is solely for one patient. It is then washed at 60°C. Lydia's clinic clothes are washed every day in the same way.
  5. The treatment room is aired for 30 minutes before each patient.
  6. The talking part of the consultation will be by Zoom, Whatsapp or phone to reduce face to face contact. Face to face contact needs to be limited to 15 minutes maximum to reduce infection risk. For this reason Lydia will leave the room when the patient's needles are in.
  7. Lydia will be monitoring her temperature each day.
In turn, Lydia is asking the following of her patients:
  1. That they wear a surgical mask (unless they have specific medical needs, similar to the guidance on public transport).
  2. They text or message when they arrive so she can come and let them in.
  3. They wash their hands as soon as they enter the treatment room and refrain from touching any surfaces - thereby reducing infection risk.
  4. They do not use the toilet, unless in an emergency.
  5. They wash their hands before leaving the treatment room.
It is crucially important that patients let Lydia know as soon as possible before their appointment if they have any of the three cardinal Covid 19 symptoms (a temperature, new and persistent cough or loss of taste and smell). If this is the case they should not come to the appointment. It can be rescheduled and in these instances the cancellation fee will be waived. Before each appointment patients will be asked to complete a new consent and screening form for Covid 19 (preferably online). This is aimed at ensuring that both the patient and Lydia are, as far as they are aware, safe to see each other. If Lydia or the patient are diagnosed with Covid 19 in the 48 hours after an appointment both should let each other know so they are able to follow government self isolation guidance in line with test and track.