COVID Risk Assessment Policy

COVID-19 presents different risks to different people and whilst we have robust procedures in place to minimise these risks, we cannot remove them completely.

Because of this, prior to commencing treatment with Colchester Physiotherapy we require every patient to fill out a form to establish the level of risk that COVID would present to both themselves and those that they come in to contact with (such as family members).

People who are at (or come in to contact with those who are) moderate or high risk from COVID can still be seen in clinic, we just need to make sure that we are doing the right thing. In these scenarios we need to ensure that you understand the risks COVID presents to either yourself or those you come in to contact with. Given that you understand these risks we need to make sure that both you and your clinician are happy for you to attend clinic. We will do this over the phone with you prior to the day of your appointment.

People at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) from COVID include:

  • People age 70 or older

  • People with a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)

  • People with heart disease (such as heart failure)

  • People with diabetes

  • People with chronic kidney disease

  • People with liver disease (such as hepatitis)

  • People with conditions affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)

  • People with conditions that make the susceptible to getting infections

  • People taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)

  • People who are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)

  • Pregnant women

People at high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable) from COVID include:

  • People that have had an organ transplant

  • People who are having chemotherapy or antibody treatment for cancer, including immunotherapy

  • People who are having an intense course of radiotherapy (radical radiotherapy) for lung cancer

  • People who are having targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system (such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors)

  • People who have blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)

  • People who have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppressant medicine

  • People who have a severe lung condition (such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD)

  • People with conditions that place them at a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID or sickle cell)

  • People who are taking medicine that makes them much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppressant medicine)

  • Women who are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

  • Adults with Down's syndrome

  • Adult with severe (stage 5) long-term kidney disease who are having dialysis