Mari Joyce Somatic Therapies
Covid-19 & Safe Practice
I'm very glad to be able to offer sessions again after the necessary restrictions of covid-19. During these times of uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 and the easing of lockdown, I wish to share this information with you and inform you of the steps I have taken to keep you and the rest of our community safe and healthy as I resume my therapy practice. I believe my practice has a robust risk assessment with the necessary procedures for potential face-to-face contact. I encourage all clients to make an informed decision about coming for in-person treatments. For those who are in the ‘at risk’ group (see below for more information) the threshold for making a decision to provide care is set higher. If you are in this group I may encourage you to hold off from having treatments for the time being but am happy to discuss this with you.
New procedures
I am now taking extra precautions to maintain a healthy and safe environment for giving treatments in line with current advice from the UK Government, Public Health England (PHE) and my Local Health Authority. These include, but are not limited to:
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Taking my own temperature and asking clients to do the same before coming for treatments.
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I will cancel sessions if I am symptomatic, and ask clients to do the same.
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I will be seeing a smaller limited number of clients a day.
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I will be regularly washing hands and using hand sanitiser.
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Prior to and between sessions I will be airing the room for 15 - 30 minutes.
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I will be doing a full clean of the treatment room, including doors, handles and treatment table.
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All linens will be newly changed for each client, including table cover, towels, blankets and cushion covers. Cushions will now have protective cleanable covers as well as fresh cotton cases.
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Continuing to regularly wash and sanitise my hands with soap and water, and hand gel.
I am rigorously following the guidelines laid out by the UK Government and my professional bodies, the Craniosacral Therapy Association (CSTA), and the Massage Training Institute (MTI).
How the Virus spreads.
This virus is very contagious. It is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through people who are in close contact with one another (within about 2m or 6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is now thought that people may be most contagious with coronavirus before and during the first week of COVID-19 symptoms.
Whilst I am taking every further precaution to limit your risk of exposure to coronavirus, I cannot
guarantee that there is no risk to you as a result of attending the clinic and/or receiving treatment.
Therefore, I request that any symptomatic clients follow NHS guidance and stay away from visiting
the practice at this time. I will ask all clients to sign a consent form to confirm that they are not
presenting with any of the main symptoms of Covid-19, including:
• a high temperature within the last seven days (feeling hot to touch on your chest and back)
• a new, continuous cough (coughing a lot for more than an hour or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24
hours or a worsening of a pre-existing cough)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• or have knowingly been in contact recently (the last seven days) with anyone who has been symptomatic of having Covid-19
Likewise, I also confirm that I am free of the symptoms and have not recently (within the last seven days) been in contact with anyone that has.
Levels of risk
I believe my practice has a robust risk assessment with enhanced procedures for potential face-to-face contact with most clients who are not at risk if they contract Covid-19. (Feel free to request a copy of my current working risk assessment.) However, for those who are in the ‘at risk’ group (clinically vulnerable) the threshold for making a decision to provide care is set higher. You are deemed to be ‘at risk’ if you are;
• Aged 70 + • Non-severe Lung condition (Asthma, COPD, Emphysema or Bronchitis) • Are pregnant • Prone to Infections • Heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease • Neurological conditions (MS, Parkinson's, MND or Cerebral Palsy) • Take medicines that suppress the Immune System • Obese (have a BMI of 40 or more (Source: NHS).
If you have any concerns about coming in for an in-person treatment, you may wish to wait until a time that feels right for you. You are also welcome to get in touch with any questions or concerns.
