Coronavirus: update on appointments

This is an uncertain and worrying time for many of us. Just when you might most want a massage to help you cope with it all, the contagious nature of coronavirus means that we have to follow careful protocol in order to keep ourselves and others safe. As a therapist your welfare is extremely important to me and I wish to take the best care that I can.

I am still available for appointments with those of you who are not having to self isolate and are not in a vulnerable group (I am following advice from my professional body), but I will be allowing a larger gap between clients to allow for extra cleaning time, and to reduce the number of people that are in reception at any time.

Please can we ask you to pay by card rather than cash to reduce handling.

The guidance from the Government is as follows:
Social distancing measures should be taken to reduce social interaction between individuals in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID 19).

Those who are at particular risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID 19) are to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

This group includes those who are:

• aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
• under 70 with an underlying health condition as listed below, including those instructed to receive a 'flu jab as an adult on medical grounds.:
• chronic (long term) respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis.
• chronic heart disease 
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic liver disease such as hepatitis
•  chronic neurological problems such as Parkinson's disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
• diabetes
• problems with your spleen such as sickle cell disease
• a weakened immune system including from medicines such as steroids or chemotherapy
• being seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)
• those who are pregnant

I am so sorry but if any of the above applies to you or to someone you are in regular close contact with then you are asked not to book appointments to see me at the 919 Clinic until further notice. I  know this will be disappointing to many, especially those who are 70 or over and feel in excellent health. For insurance reasons as well as for the benefit of all I have to follow the guidelines given to me.

In addition, please do not book or attend an appointment if you have:

• a cold, or 'flu like symptoms
• a continuous cough
• a fever

If you have the last two symptoms the present Government advice is to self isolate yourself and your family for 14 days.

To reassure those who are still able to come in for treatment (as they are not in any of the above categories) that the Clinic is as safe an environment as we can make it, we are regularly cleaning all hard surfaces and disinfecting - something that Wendy and Anthea have always been stringent about, but they have raised their game even more! I will also be giving each client clean towels, and wiping down door handles. We have hand sanitiser available. I always wash my hands thoroughly before and after each treatment. We are now asking you to also wash your hands before and after treatment if you don't already do this.

If you are not able to come into the Clinic I can still offer advice by telephone (07957 162347) or email  (herbalkate@gmail.com). I recommend email if that is suitable for you.

Hope you and your family stay safe and well.