UPDATE FROM CHAIRMAN

As of January 2022, the Government have removed ‘Plan B’ restrictions within England and the devolved nations also have relaxed some of the rules although some differences do remain between the different nations with the UK. It is always important to check with your own local authorities about the specifics of the guidance and rules. At this point, you should all be able to see any patient in your caseload requiring treatment and it is advised that you work in a careful and cautious way that seeks to help your patients feel safe and well cared for.  

The following rules still apply but they may change in the months ahead as the UK Government consider changing rules around self-isolation.    

- If you test positive for COVID-19, there is to be no service provided for a minimum of 10 days (or 6 if you have 2 negative lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6).

- If your patient has had a case of COVID-19 confirmed, there is to be no service provided for a minimum of 10 days (or 6 if they have 2 negative lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6).

- If you provide services to a residential home, you MUST liaise with the home to ensure that you can work within their plans and policies that are in place to protect their residents 

- In all other circumstances, you are fine to proceed, but you MUST maintain good infection control practices.  

The other main consideration that you will need to have at this time relates to safe working practices. This includes both the working environment and personal protective equipment (PPE). In accordance with this need, we are issuing the following advice in conjunction with advice from Public Health England (links here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-domiciliary-care )   

In essence the general advice is along the following lines:    

- Whilst it is no longer essential to pre-screen all patients to gauge the seriousness of their foot complaint – you may wish to continue to phone ahead in order to check that the patient is happy for treatment to go ahead.

- Ensure that you employ the strictest infection control practices and have adequate PPE  

PPE Guidelines:    

- You will be required to use surgical gloves that are disposed of after every treatment and/or after they have become damaged or visibly soiled with bodily fluids (as is usual practice). 

- Hand-washing has to be thorough and rigorous before donning PPE and immediately after removing PPE. 

- DO NOT touch your face at any point whilst wearing PPE or once it is removed until you have thoroughly washed your hands. 

- FFP2 or FFP3 masks would be optimal BUT surgical face masks are appropriate where treating a patient. Surgical face masks are to be disposed of after every appointment. FFP2 or FFP3 masks may be reused up to 3 times if they have not become damaged or soiled AND/OR where you have not been in close contact with the face or upper-respiratory tract of a person with suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19. 

- Patients should be offered to wear a surgical face mask for the duration of their contact with you and they can dispose of them following their contact with you. However, this should not be routinely considered to be a condition of treatment and people who are exempt from wearing face coverings are not obligated to provide proof of their exemption.

- A face shield / visor OR eye protection is optional.

- Regular aprons will suffice.

These rules may change in the coming months but we still need to keep our patient's, love ones and ourselves safe and well, and virus free!  

Thank you. 

Remember to follow us on Twitter @BCPA_UK   

Kindest regards,

Deborah MercerChairman BCPA/BAFHP