COVID-19 Clinic Guidelines (UPDATED February 24th, 2022)
On February 24th, 2022, the government removed all remaining Covid-19 restrictions as follows:
- There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face-covering.
- There is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19.
- There is no longer a legal requirement to take daily tests and/or to self-isolate following contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
However, protecting our community continues to be our number one priority. Due to the fact that we continue to see vulnerable patients in clinic, we will continue to implement stringent hygiene protocols for the time being. We ask, therefore, that all patients continue to adhere to the following guidelines::
- Patients must not come into the clinic if they are displaying symptoms of or have tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 10 days.
Below is some important information for all patients visiting the clinic and/or with upcoming appointments. Please read the following information carefully.
PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT:
Prior to booking/attending your face-to-face appointment, we must assess whether it is safe for you to visit the clinic at the present time. With this in mind, we require you to complete our ‘Covid-19 Screening Form’ prior to visiting the clinic. This applies to ALL patients and must be completed:
- prior to each appointment.
- before you arrive at the clinic.
If you are displaying symptoms of or have tested positive for Covid-19 within 10 days prior to your appointment, we ask that you contact us directly before visiting the clinic.
ARRIVING AT THE CLINIC:
On arrival, please adhere to the following instructions:
- please arrive at the clinic 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time—not early or late.
- please be advised that we are not currently supplying gowns or towels. We, therefore, recommend that you arrive in loose-fitting clothing, or bring your own towels and/or gown if you would prefer.
PARKING:
On-street parking is available directly outside the clinic on Merton Road. The New Southfields Clinic is within Wandsworth Council’s W2 parking zone. Parking restrictions are operational from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. The length of time allowed is 1-4 hours. Local notices are clear.
LATE ARRIVALS & CANCELLATION POLICY:
Out of respect to our clientele, so that the clinic can run on-time, and so that we can adhere to social distancing protocols, we can only hold your appointment for a maximum of 10 minutes following your allotted time. Unfortunately, while we will always do our best to accommodate you, failure to arrive within this time means that we may not be able to see you.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment for any reason, please provide us with a minimum of 24 hours notice. If you are unable to provide 24 hours notice, are more than 10 minutes late and/or fail to attend your appointment, we must charge for the appointment in full.
CONTACT US:
We appreciate that this is a deeply uncertain and stressful time for all of us. Please rest assured that we continue to do everything in our power to make the clinic the safest possible environment for all of us. However, if you do have any further questions and/or concerns regarding your treatment, please feel free to get in touch.
Stay safe and well,
FURTHER INFORMATION:
CLINICALLY VULNERABLE PEOPLE:
People in this category of risk include:
- Anyone aged 70 and older (regardless of medical conditions)
- Anyone under 70 with an underlying health condition (that is, anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds) – such as:
- chronic (long-term) mild to moderate respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines (such as steroid tablets)
- being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
- pregnant women
CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE PEOPLE:
People in this category of risk include:
- Solid organ transplant recipients.
- People with specific cancers:
- people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy
- people with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy
- people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
- people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors.
- people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immuno-suppression drugs.
- People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- People with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell).
- People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase the risk of infection.
- Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
- Other people have also been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of their needs. GPs and hospital clinicians have been provided with guidance to support these decisions.
More information about who has been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable is available on the NHS Digital website.
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