COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Introduction
Following the closure of The Horsforth Centre during the Covid-19 lockdown, we will be opening up for face to face sessions but with some limitations. The limitations have been put in place to reduce the risk of transmission and keep both practitioners and clients safe.

Risk Assessment Overview

In order to ensure that we reduce the risk of infection between therapist and client, it is important that certain procedures are assessed, and measures put in place to reduce infection risk. The matters to consider for each individual client are the same, but there are also some general procedures that are to be adopted. However, the outcome of that risk assessment may be very different and it may be that it is not appropriate for some clients to resume face to face sessions at this time due to vulnerabilities that increase risk of harm.

It is important that we are transparent about our risk assessment process because you, as a client, have a part of play in the risk process. As a result, we must trust you and your ability to be equally as transparent.

We are acutely aware of obligations with regard to duty of care toward all clients, and in the current pandemic the interpretation of that duty becomes less obvious. For example, whilst the therapist’s duty of care towards your mental health remains the same, their duty towards your physical health and safety has now changed.

The pandemic and risk of infection requires that we consider the risk of infection and, in addition, your mental health as a result of the risks and restrictions that the pandemic brings. It may not be reasonable or appropriate to offer a face to face session to some clients even after all possible precautions have been taken to reduce infection. The therapist reserves the right to make this decision based on the facts at their disposal.

Risk Assessment

Physical safety and risk of infection

1. Reducing risk of contamination and spread before/during/after a session.

ACTION:

Each room will be cleaned and disinfected before appointments.
The therapy chairs, table, doorbell and other surfaces will be wiped down with antibacterial wipes.
Clients are able to use the on-site toilets (as indicated by the therapist) and antibacterial wipes are available to clean down the door handle, toilet seat, flush area, taps and sink after use.
Face masks should be worn in all common areas including hallways, corridors, kitchen areas and toilets.
Each client will wait outside their given door until asked to enter by their therapist.
Only the therapist will open and close any doors with a clean tissue or wipe and use hand sanitiser.
A ‘sneeze’ screen will be in place between the therapist and client and parties will sit at least 2m apart.
After each client leaves, windows and doors left open for at least 5 minutes to air the room.
Paper towels will be available for the washing & drying of hands
A wipe should be used to open the toilet door after using the facilities.
Clients should bring their own drinking water (or alternative) as none can safely be provided at present
Hand sanitiser and tissues are available throughout the session for clients to use at will

Other factors:

To maintain confidentiality, it is not possible to leave the door open during sessions – whilst the risk of a confidentiality breach is a low, many clients are likely to feel vulnerable to being overheard which could inhibit free expression.

2. PPE of therapist and client

ACTION:

Hand sanitiser and tissues will be available throughout the session
Face masks should be worn in all common areas including hallways, corridors, kitchen areas and toilets.

3. Social distancing in relation to entering/leaving and seating arrangements

ACTION:

The client will notify the therapist via text (or alternative method) that they have arrived at The Horsforth Centre and wait until the therapist asks them to enter. Clients should wait in the area indicated outside the relevant door.
Face masks should be worn in all common areas including hallways, corridors, kitchen areas and toilets.
The therapist will open the door fully and step back to allow the client to cross the threshold safely
Hand sanitiser will be available for the client to use on arrival.
The therapist may take the temperature of the client using a digital thermometer and assess risk based on the result.
The therapist will wait for the client to be seated and will then enter the room.The chairs will be 2 metres apart where possible.
On leaving, the therapist will open doors using a clean tissue and be followed by the client – maintaining social distance wherever possible.

4. Session length – impact of time spent in therapy room

ACTION:

In order to allow sufficient time to properly disinfect the room before the next client, from this point on, all face to face session times will reduce to 50 minutes.
Some therapy methods may require more time but this will be agreed between the therapist and client.

5. Ongoing Review

ACTION:

Each party holds an obligation to be aware of and report to the other, any factors which may occur which could increase the risk of infection during the time face to face sessions.

Individual Risk Assessment of Face to Face Session

Your therapist will carry out a short risk assessment using questions (or similar) from those on the Client Screening page. This may be over the telephone, via email or in writing and is likely to be similar to the following:

Name of Client:
Date of Assessment:

Client Specific Considerations:

Has therapist been exposed or had risk of exposure to COVID?

The therapist is not aware of being exposed to COVID.
The therapist has maintained social distancing when out in public e.g. when shopping which has been once per week for less than an hour at a time.
The therapist has not knowingly increased this risk.

Has client been exposed or had risk of exposure to COVID?

Give details:

Does the therapist have any symptoms which are known to be associated with COVID however minor?

The therapist does not and has not had any of the various symptoms associated with COVID 19.

Does the client have any symptoms which are known to be associated with COVID however minor?

Give details:

Does the client have an underlying health condition which could increase their vulnerability to contracting COVID 19 e.g. are they classed as a vulnerable party or are they shielding?

Agreement to undertake the risk

To be agreed by the therapist and the client

After consideration of the risk assessment outcome both parties are prepared to take the risks associated with face to face session provision for this client.

Signed:
(therapist)

Signed:
(client)

Agreed outcome and approach

The information contained above sets out the information provided to the client before their agreed commitment to face to face therapy sessions. It also contains information provided by the client to the therapist. Both therapist and client have considered the information, and each have made the decision to proceed with face to face sessions.

Both parties have committed to report any occurrences or new information which comes to light during the time of face to face sessions which could increase the risk of infection, at which point a further risk review will be carried out.