08/01/2021
CNHC Membership guidance on practising reflexology during lockdown has now been updated (see below).
Given the current unprecedented situation I have made the decision to cease all face to face treatments. I am continuing to support some existing patients remotely and will review when physical treatments can start again in line with the guidance on a case by case basis.
I am still open for enquiries should you wish to contact me with questions about future treatments.
For now, stay safe, stay well, and stay home 👣🙌..........................
UPDATE: National lockdown approved by Parliament (updated 6 January 202)
On 4 January 2021 the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that England would go into a national lockdown with effect from midnight that night. The Government published relevant guidance on the lockdown requirements. Under the section ‘Businesses and venues which can remain open’ it states: “The full list of these businesses can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England.”
The businesses that can remain open include “dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health.” Under the legal advice we obtained during the November 2020 national lockdown in England, CNHC Registrants in England meet the definition of “other…health services, including services relating to mental health” contained in Section 17(o), Schedule 3A of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020. The amended legislation on which Parliament voted today made no changes that section of the Regulations.
This means, as a CNHC Registrant, you can continue to practise in England during the current restrictions if you meet the criteria set out below.
In order to stay within the remit of providing “other…health services, including services relating to mental health”:
You must only provide the therapies you are registered for, on a one-to-one basis to clients, for an identified mental or physical health condition or injury that is causing them pain or having an adverse impact on their mobility or their quality of life.
You must be able to evidence that your therapeutic intervention is supporting your client with their condition. You can do this by recording their health condition and giving a clear rationale in your client’s care record for the treatment that you are providing,
You cannot provide treatment to a client in their own home unless you have received a direct referral from a statutory regulated health professional.
If your practice is based in your own home you can continue to work from there as long as it is COVID-secure. You can find our advice on following government guidance on working safely here.
We cannot stress enough the severity of the situation we are now in, with a surge in infection rates of the highly transmissible new variant of COVID-19 placing increasing pressure on the NHS. You must exercise the utmost caution and exercise your professional judgement in assessing the risks. You must carry out and record a risk assessment on whether the benefits of seeing a client in person outweighs the risks. Practise remotely where you can and follow our advice on following government guidance on working safely.
