Infection Prevention & Control – update 01/01/2025
It is important that I provide you with a safe working and clinical environment when you attend ‘Waitt Physiotherapy’. There is a duty of care to prevent and control the spread of infection. I therefore follow National Infection Prevention and Control guidelines and this includes sending you an information sheet prior to attendance to promote delivering a safe service to you.
Most appointments are face-to-face but may require to be delayed or conducted virtually (by Zoom) should you respond ‘yes’ to any of the following respiratory screening questions:
- Have you had a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 in the last 10 days?
- do you have any of the following respiratory symptoms?
- high temperature or fever
- new, continuous cough
- a loss or alteration to taste or smell
- any other symptoms of a respiratory virus
- any positive tests for respiratory infection within the last 7 days
If your condition is deemed urgent/necessary and we mutually agree on a face-to-face appointment, then we would proceed with ‘transmission based precautions’ in place which will include the wearing of face masks.
The coronavirus pandemic taught us how to successfully conduct assessment and management of conditions virtually and this tool is still available for anyone who feels time or travel is a constraint to attending face-to-face. A blend of face-to-face and virtual appointments is another option.
Note: there are various online video platforms but I have mainly been using the Zoom video conferencing software app which, if you don’t already have, can be downloaded onto your laptop (or phone) from https://zoom.us. You will be asked to configure audio settings the first time you use it. This should be easy but text if you are having difficulty on start up. Use Wi-Fi where possible for better connectivity. I would send you an invitation, preferably by email, to join a meeting at the agreed time.
Please contact me by text or phone to arrange a convenient appointment. It will be assumed you wish to attend face-to-face unless you advise me of your preference for a virtual appointment. If you are comfortable providing me with your e-mail I can then either forward information on what to expect during face-to-face appointments or forward a Zoom link should you wish a virtual appointment.
GDPR: Consent, confidentiality, privacy and security
- Face-to-Face consultations
Written and/or verbal consent is required for all face-to-face appointments and will be discussed and recorded at each of your appointments.
2. Virtual consultations
Consent will be implied by you undertaking the consultation. Confidentiality and record keeping standards will be the same as with face-to-face consultations. The consultations will occur in a private space and it is recommended that the client does the same. Video consultations are securely encrypted and will not be recorded. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure their phone, tablet or computer is adequately anti-spyware and virus protected.
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) protects your rights in relation to how your personal information is collected, stored and used. I have a duty of care to only collect the data that is needed, to keep your personal information secure, to handle confidential information safely and to take care that your personal information isn’t given to unauthorised people. By law your clinical records data is retained for a minimum of six years. Copies of the practices privacy and consent policies are available on request.
Please contact me if you have any concerns.
