This page is a covid blog with the latest updates.
click here for our full covid proceedures and protocols
June 2022
We have recently updated our Covid proceedures, in line with the recent changes on the Government's Covid guidance in health-care settings.
As of mid June 2022, the use of PPE (masks and gloves) will be left at the discretion of the each practitioner.
If you are vulnerable, or would simply feel more comfortable with us wearing PPE, you are welcome to ask your pracitioner to wear PPE (mask, gloves or both).
We are still being advised to continue screening patients for symptoms of respiratory infection so you will continue to receive a (much simplified) screening questionaire 24 hrs before your appointment.
We are still asking people to post-pone their appointments if they have any transmisible viral infection including Colds, Flu, Covid, Norovirus, etc. Please reschedule for at least 7 days after the onset of symptoms.
Patients are no longer required to wear a mask, but we do ask that you wear one if you are in anyways feeling under the weather or if you have recently been in contact with someone with a known respiratory infection.
If you have been in contact with someone who has since tested positive for Covid, we are happy for you to attend your appointment AS LONG AS you have no symptoms yourself. Research on Omicron has shown it to be most infectious AFTER the onset of symptoms, as opposed to previous strains who were most contagious before the onset of symptoms, making it easier to manage the risk.
As of mid June 2022, the use of PPE (masks and gloves) will be left at the discretion of the each practitioner.
If you are vulnerable, or would simply feel more comfortable with us wearing PPE, you are welcome to ask your pracitioner to wear PPE (mask, gloves or both).
We are still being advised to continue screening patients for symptoms of respiratory infection so you will continue to receive a (much simplified) screening questionaire 24 hrs before your appointment.
We are still asking people to post-pone their appointments if they have any transmisible viral infection including Colds, Flu, Covid, Norovirus, etc. Please reschedule for at least 7 days after the onset of symptoms.
Patients are no longer required to wear a mask, but we do ask that you wear one if you are in anyways feeling under the weather or if you have recently been in contact with someone with a known respiratory infection.
If you have been in contact with someone who has since tested positive for Covid, we are happy for you to attend your appointment AS LONG AS you have no symptoms yourself. Research on Omicron has shown it to be most infectious AFTER the onset of symptoms, as opposed to previous strains who were most contagious before the onset of symptoms, making it easier to manage the risk.
February 2022
As England is getting ready to remove most Covid-19 restrictions we have revised our protocols in line with medical establishements which means we have relaxed some of our cleaning protocols, we have issued guidance about what we feel is the way to proceed in terms of attending an appointment with any respiratory illness and we still need everyone to wear a mask, hand sanitize and we are advised to continue screening for covid symptoms.
See our full update here.
See our full update here.
26 December 2020
Here we go again, National lockdown Round 3!
We are staying open, as per government guidelines and we will continue to prioritise everyone's safety.
Whilst routine appointments are allowed under guidance, we advise against non-essential appointments.
We are staying open, as per government guidelines and we will continue to prioritise everyone's safety.
Whilst routine appointments are allowed under guidance, we advise against non-essential appointments.
3rd November 2020
National Lockdown: Round 2
We ARE Staying Open!
We are pleased to reassure you that Body Flow Osteopathy will be staying open and appointments shall go ahead despite the second national lockdown due to take place between the 5th November and 2nd December 2020.
What Has Changed?
This lockdown is very different from the first one:
- We know exactly what we are dealing with
- Risk assessments and Protocols are already in place
- There's no shortage of PPE
As allied health professionals, registered Osteopaths are considered essential healthcare workers and are being actively encouraged to stay open to keep providing essential musculoskeletal services.
Leaving your house to attend an appointment with us, therefore, falls under the "attending a medical appointment" category, so you can visit us with complete peace of mind that we are all operating within the government's guidance.
We have rigorous infection control procedures in place here at Body Flow Osteopathy, including thorough decontamination of the treatment room and communal area in between patients, along with the wearing of full PPE by our practitioners and the use of powerful air purifiers in our treatment room. This means that the risk of transmission on our premises is very low.
Our full COVID-19 risk assessment and protocols can be found on our website: https://www.bodyflowosteopathy.com/covid-19-full-procedures--protocols.html
7th June 2020 - Norwich is Re-Opening For Bookings!
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Although It's Not Quite "Business As Usual"...
We may be looking like space bakers in our masks, apron, and eye covers and you may just catch us emerging from a misty cloud of surface sanitizer, but fear not! We're still the same friendly osteopaths (turned part-time cleaners) underneath all that PPE, and we've been missing you! Last week, we were given the go-ahead by the Government to re-open our clinics for more than emergency appointments and we're now ready to take bookings again, having made final additions to our processes and risk assessments to make our premises as COVID-19 safe as possible. |
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See our COVID-19 Full Procedures & Protocols for in dept details.
What Are We Doing to Keep Us All Safe?
Our full COVID-19 procedures (15 pages) are available to download below but here are the key points:
What Are We Doing to Keep Us All Safe?
Our full COVID-19 procedures (15 pages) are available to download below but here are the key points:
- We'll do a COVID-19 Symptoms Screening Within 24 Hours of Every Appointment
- We will ask you to:
- wear a face mask (we can provide one for the cost price of £1)
- hand wash or use hand sanitizer as you enter the building
- We will minimize the number of people in the building at any time (when possible) by:
- Asking you to wait in your car (if possible) until you are called in
- We modified our opening hours to avoid overlapping with other practitioners
- We are wearing PPE
- We are sanitizing ALL high traffic surfaces between each appointment
- We invested in virus destroying air sanitizing technology (HEPA, Carbon filter & UVC lights)
- If you are at high risk of COVID complications or anxious, ask us to book the first appointment of the day.
- We will continue to offer virtual consultation and remote support
In 2017, Osteopathy was added to the list of NHS allied health professionals, and as such our services were deemed as essential throughout lockdown. Practices able to offer emergency services were asked to stay open to maintain musculoskeletal services and reduce admission into the NHS, and thousands more answered the call to join the NHS efforts in fighting the pandemic.
Population surveys showed a significant increase in lower back pain and other musculoskeletal pain during lockdown so it's time for us to get back to work!
Population surveys showed a significant increase in lower back pain and other musculoskeletal pain during lockdown so it's time for us to get back to work!
COVID-19 ANXIETY & SAFETY
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge amount of disturbance and anxiety in every corner of the population, and we share this feeling. Whilst we have much left to learn about the Covid-19 illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, its mode of transmission is now well understood, which makes mitigating the risk much easier. Rest assured that this knowledge underlines all of our decisions and we take everyone's safety very seriously.
The rapidly growing body of evidence is making it easier to make effective decisions to reduce the risk of transmission whilst supporting the return to some sort of normality.
We are confident that our environment is as safe as it can be, although nowhere can guarantee to be 100% safe, viruses being very inconveniently invisible. But our premises are small, easy to clean and benefit from very small footfall giving us ultimate control over our environment and the utmost confidence that we can keep our practitioners and you, our lovely client safe.
Price Adjustment
Like most businesses who have survived the lockdown, we are having to adjust our pricing due to the significant increase in our cost of operating during the pandemic, over and above the increase in our general operational cost over the last 8 years, which was our last fee increase.
This is our first price increase since 2012, we trust you will understand.
- Adults follow up appointments will bel increase to £50 (45 mins)
- Initial Adult Appointments will be £60 (60 mins)
- Under 16's follow up appointments £40 (45 mins)
- Initial Appointments Under 16's £45 (60 mins)
Can We Treat Everyone?
Guidance has changed and we are now allowed to treat anyone who is suffering and in need of an appointment.
However, if you are at high risk we still recommend against non-essential appointments, but we may still be able to help remotely so please if you are struggling but anxious to physically come to us consider a remote consultation so we can still give you advice and exercises to help.
We've Missed You And We Hope To See You Soon!
But we know many will still feel nervous about attending an appointment.
Please speak to us if you have specific concerns and we will be happy to speak to you about the current evidence and how we are mitigating risk.
With much love,
Joelle & Chloe - Norwich
20th April 2020 Update:
Emergency Appointments during the COVID-19 Lockdown
From the 20th April, we will re-open the clinic for Emergency Appointments and Key Workers who are NOT:
- Showing any symptoms of COVID-19
- Are not in the vulnerable or high risk group from complications from COVID-19
A strict protocol will be in place to ensure everyone's safety:
1) You will undergo a brief phone interview to screen for symptoms & risk factors
2) You will be ask to wear a mask as you enter the building (we will provide this)
3) We may screen you for temperature
4) You will be asked to wash your hands as you enter the building
We will sanitise all high traffic surfaces between every appointments and keep all the windows open, whether permitting.
We will also wear a mask for the duration of the consultation.
With the additional information which is now at our disposal and clearer guidelines from regulating bodies, we feel confident that we can provide this service whilst keeping everyone safe.
Virtual appointments are also available if you feel this would be more suitable for you.
Please note that Emergency appointments CAN ONLY be booked over the phone. Call us on 01603 327223
- Showing any symptoms of COVID-19
- Are not in the vulnerable or high risk group from complications from COVID-19
A strict protocol will be in place to ensure everyone's safety:
1) You will undergo a brief phone interview to screen for symptoms & risk factors
2) You will be ask to wear a mask as you enter the building (we will provide this)
3) We may screen you for temperature
4) You will be asked to wash your hands as you enter the building
We will sanitise all high traffic surfaces between every appointments and keep all the windows open, whether permitting.
We will also wear a mask for the duration of the consultation.
With the additional information which is now at our disposal and clearer guidelines from regulating bodies, we feel confident that we can provide this service whilst keeping everyone safe.
Virtual appointments are also available if you feel this would be more suitable for you.
Please note that Emergency appointments CAN ONLY be booked over the phone. Call us on 01603 327223
March 30th 2020 - Introducing Body Flow Osteopathy's Virtual Clinic!
In order to keep serving our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we've introduced a virtual service.
Please visit the "Virtual Clinic" page for full information!
Our clinic is now temporarily closed for face to face appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please visit the "Virtual Clinic" page for full information!
Our clinic is now temporarily closed for face to face appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 17th 2020 update: COVID-19 is the most infectious illness we have EVER seen.
As such, we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of infection to keep each other safe.
Here’s what we’re doing:
Being a small practice with a relatively small footfall and washable surfaces throughout the building, we are very confident that we can maintain the highest possible standard of hygiene to mitigate the risks of virus transmission to the best of our ability.
What YOU need to do:
We will be flexible with our cancellation policy, but we would still appreciate as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule due to self-isolation or COVID-19 infection.
We can’t test you for COVID-19 so we rely on your honesty and integrity to keep us, our families and our other clients safe.
Please remember: many of us are at risk of complications from COVID-19.
Your honesty WILL save lives.
What Else Can You Do?
A Few Words...
As citizens of the world, we face very difficult times ahead as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - that's the actual name of the virus that is causing the illness COVID-19 - makes its way around the world. The next few months will be anything but "business as usual". The world will be an unrecognisable place, our daily lives will change beyond recognition, many will have to self-isolate and people whom we love will get sick.... sadly, some won't make it.
The next few months will see the NHS stretch to its absolute limits. Our doctors, nurses and healthcare staff will have very difficult decisions to make and they will work themselves to exhaustion. We feel the service we provide will be an especially valuable contribution to public health in this time of crisis in helping to reduce the burden on the NHS and "do our bit". As such, we are planning to remain operational until further notice and continue serving our clients and community.
We will continue to monitor the situation daily and update our guidance accordingly.
In this time of crisis, we need kindness, understanding and love more than ever before so keep your heads up and your hearts strong.
... And if you are stuck for toilet paper, we have a few spare rolls so just ask us, it will be a pleasure to help :)
As such, we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of infection to keep each other safe.
Here’s what we’re doing:
- We’ve removed all reading material and toys from reception to minimise surface transmission
- We are now only using single use towels in the washroom
- Hand soap, hand cream and hand sanitiser were always made available but we have made extra bottles available in reception.
- We have removed fabric couch covers and replaced our pillow cases with wipeable ones to make it easier to sanitize surfaces between each client.
- Our hand hygiene was always good but we’re doubling up on it (as should everyone)
- We are sanitizing high traffic surfaces several times daily
- We will wear face a face mask during treatment for added protection to you
- If you want to wait in your car for your appointment time, just let us know ahead and we'll waive you in when we are ready
- We will follow guidelines ourselves and self-isolate if we show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
Being a small practice with a relatively small footfall and washable surfaces throughout the building, we are very confident that we can maintain the highest possible standard of hygiene to mitigate the risks of virus transmission to the best of our ability.
What YOU need to do:
- Wash your hands as you arrive in the building or use the hand sanitiser in reception
- Bring your own reading material, if you wish to do so.
- Reschedule your appointment in the usual ways if:
- You have a cough
- Raised temperature
- Feel unwell
- If anybody in your household has any of these symptoms
- If you have been in contact with anyone who tested positive to COVID-19
- Allow 14 days before you reschedule your appointment
We will be flexible with our cancellation policy, but we would still appreciate as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule due to self-isolation or COVID-19 infection.
We can’t test you for COVID-19 so we rely on your honesty and integrity to keep us, our families and our other clients safe.
Please remember: many of us are at risk of complications from COVID-19.
Your honesty WILL save lives.
What Else Can You Do?
- Get some good sleep, it helps your body repair
- Eat well and stay hydrated
- Relax and meditate
- Go outside, take a few deep breaths and get some fresh air
- Avoid crowded places
- Keep up with official advice
- Make sure you have enough of the medicines you need and order them in plenty of time
- Ask others for help if you need some
- If you can, offer to help others who need it
- Tell your friends and family that you love them
- Send funny cats videos to your loved ones, a good laugh always helps!
- Call your elderly friends and family often; self-isolation will be long and lonely for them.
- Share toilet paper
A Few Words...
As citizens of the world, we face very difficult times ahead as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - that's the actual name of the virus that is causing the illness COVID-19 - makes its way around the world. The next few months will be anything but "business as usual". The world will be an unrecognisable place, our daily lives will change beyond recognition, many will have to self-isolate and people whom we love will get sick.... sadly, some won't make it.
The next few months will see the NHS stretch to its absolute limits. Our doctors, nurses and healthcare staff will have very difficult decisions to make and they will work themselves to exhaustion. We feel the service we provide will be an especially valuable contribution to public health in this time of crisis in helping to reduce the burden on the NHS and "do our bit". As such, we are planning to remain operational until further notice and continue serving our clients and community.
We will continue to monitor the situation daily and update our guidance accordingly.
In this time of crisis, we need kindness, understanding and love more than ever before so keep your heads up and your hearts strong.
... And if you are stuck for toilet paper, we have a few spare rolls so just ask us, it will be a pleasure to help :)
