IN-PERSON THERAPY SERVICE DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS
Keith Potter Psychotherapy service provides the
following important information about the decision to
provide ‘in-person’ therapy service in light of the
COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
The
purpose of these procedures is to provide sufficient
safety precautions for both the client and the
psychotherapist.
Risk
for opting for ‘in-person’ therapy service
A
client should understand that by coming to the service’s
consulting room they are assuming the risk of exposure
to the coronavirus (or other public health risk). This
risk may increase if the client travels by public
transport, taxi, or car-share.
Keith
Potter is the sole professional user of the consulting
room and therefore the risk of cross infection is
minimised.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY:
•
Will only attend an ‘in-person’ appointment if they are
symptom free: i.e. normal temperature, does not have a
new and persistent cough, no loss or change to sense of
smell or taste.
•
Will not attend an appointment if they have been in
contact with COVID-19, or if any of their household have
any symptoms.
•
Will be required to sanitise their hands with the
sanitiser provided before entering the consulting room
and upon leaving.
•
Will be required to keep a distance of 2 metres (6’6”).
There will be no physical contact with the
psychotherapist, i.e., no shaking hands.
•
Will be required to adhere to the safe distancing
precautions set up in the consulting room. For example,
they must sit in the offered seat and not move the seat.
•
Will be required to provide their own tissues.
•
Will be required to provide their own drink.
•
Payments can made in cash or cheque and will be handled
safely by the psychotherapist.
•
If tested positive for COVID-19 the Client will follow
the procedure required by the NHS ‘test and trace’
service (guidance can be found at www.gov.uk).
PSYCHOTHERAPIST RESPONSIBILITY:
•
Will only see clients ‘in-person’ if the psychotherapist
does not have any of the symptoms of COVID-19, or if
they are not exposed to other people who are so
infected.
•
Will sanitise their hands thoroughly with an
alcohol-based hand sanitiser before and after each
client.
•
Will use an antibacterial spray on therapy chairs and
disinfect all surfaces (including hand-rests of chairs,
door handles, step’s hand rail), in-between each client.
•
Will provide hand sanitiser for clients to use upon
entering and leaving the consulting room.
•
Will empty the waste bin between each client, using an
appropriate method to prevent coming into contact with
its contents.
•
Will keep a minimum distance of 2 metres (6’6”) and
there will be no physical contact with clients, i.e. no
shaking hands.
•
Will ensure physical distance precautions are in place
in the consulting room. For example, therapy chairs will
be at a distance in excess of 2 metres (6’6”).
•
Will air out the consulting room by opening door and
windows following each session.
•
Will handle payments made by cash or cheque in a safe
manner to prevent cross infection.
•
If tested positive for COVID-19, will follow the
procedure required by the NHS ‘test and trace’ service.
Confidentiality in Case of Infection
In
the event of the NHS ‘test and trace’ procedure being
instigated by either the client or the psychotherapist
they will report the minimum information required for
the purpose of data collection regarding therapy
meetings. In order to maintain the confidence within the
therapeutic relationship the client and the
psychotherapist will agree not to go into the detail of
the content of the therapy or the reason for it.
Review Process
The
above procedure will be reviewed on a daily basis and
may change at short notice based on UK Government
guidelines. I will continue to keep you updated on any
further actions regarding this matter.