Skelian – a reflection on 2020 so far
Skelian Chiropractic Clinic Cheltenham – Reflecting on 2020 so far
The year 2020 has been a very different year compared to most other years. For a lot of us, it has been a challenging time in many ways. Whether the challenges have come from family, health, mental health or work there have been many aspects of this year we have had to deal with and adapt. Back in March 2020, we decided to temporarily close the clinic due to the growing uncertainty of the covid-19 virus, with the growing number of cases around the UK and the world.
Servie during lockdown
Throughout the lockdown period we were offerng online consultations to patients as well as phone call support. We were also working hard in the background, following the news and the latest advice by the government and other health organisations, allowing us to plan when we might reopen as well how we might go about reopening.
Covid-19 Risk Assessment
As the lockdown went on, we worked on a thorough a covid-19 risk assessment of the clinic, thinking of as many scenarios as possible and coming up with what we felt were the best solutions to those problems. From the risk assessment, we then formulated a covid-19 clinic policy that would allow us to safely operate once we reopened. All the practitioners met up on zoom calls for many hours discussing and formulating the best ideas for the protocol.
Reopening
Once we had finalised the risk assessments and protocols, we then made the decision to reopen on the first of June as the national lockdown was easing. When we reopened, we had very strict protocols, only allowing a certain number of patients at one time into the clinic as well as a limited number of practitioners with the goal of minimising footfall within the clinic. We also only allowed a certain demographic of lower risk patients into the clinic. All of these actions were put into place to help minimise risk of exposure as much as possible. Also, during this time our chiropractors covered the phones and reception area until our receptionists returned at the end of the June. Needless to say, the practitioners were very happy when the receptionists returned! The short period of time where the reception team was not in the clinic really highlighted how much of an important and integral part of the Skelian team they are. During the early days of reopening, our reception waiting area was closed, so our patients had to wait outside before we would allow them to enter. As measures started to ease, we then decided to open up the waiting area again. This time only allowing a certain number of patients in the waiting area at one time and at the social distance of two meters apart from each other. Despite not having our usual waiting area set up, it was great having our patients in the clinic. It was a big positive step in the right direction, and it felt like an element of “normality” was returning.
Changing patient interaction
Since reopening, the chiropractors have had to get used to new routines, regarding wearing PPE and patient interaction. As time has gone on, all practitioners in the clinic have been getting into the groove of wearing PPE in the clinic. As a lot of us keep saying it is all becoming the “new normal”. Our reception team have had their own changes in routine to get used to, wearing a mask, a big Perspex screen on the front desk, as well as opening the door for patients when they come into and leave the clinic.
Happy to be back
Being back in practice is great, it is fantastic to be treating and helping patients once again. During lockdown it gave a lot of us time to reflect on life and what is important and for most of us, health and family have been on the top of the list of priorities that people want to focus on in post lockdown life. The future is still as yet unknown regarding how the world is going to deal with covid-19 for the long term. One thing for sure, the team at Skelian are very grateful to be back and will be here to help the people of Cheltenham and Bristol with their musculo-skeletal needs.
