NOT LONG UNTIL WE REOPEN!
It has been a challenging few months but, following the latest Government announcement and subsequent interpretation of what this means for Regulated Registered Health Professionals working in Medical Aesthetic Clinics such as Appearance Based Medicine, and in accordance with Save Face and the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) advice – and having performed multiple risk assessments, implemented strict new health and safety measures – we’re really pleased to announce that our Marlow clinic will be re-opening on the July 4th – Phew!
We are Save Face COVID-19 Certified …
As you may have guessed, it’s not quite ‘business as usual’ – we have completed Save Face’s COVID-19 Operational Protocol Certification and, whilst the population remains at risk from the COVID-19 virus, we’ll be taking further precautions to ensure that our patients are protected – and that all staff within the DentalCare Clinic (where Appearance Based Medicine is based) are as safe as possible too.
Telehealth (Remote) Consultations
As a result of the new protocol/precautions, one of the biggest changes is that we will be requiring a Telehealth (remote) consultation with ALL patients prior to every in-person treatment – even long-term, familiar patients. This appointment will be scheduled for half an hour and will enable Clare, (a Registered Nurse Prescriber), to perform a 360-degree risk assessment specific to you, before inviting you into clinic for your treatment if it is deemed appropriate and safe for you to have a treatment as this point in time. We will also be asking all patients to complete various online medical history forms and questionnaires, to ensure that we have everything ready and logged on our system in advance of treatment in Clinic. Confirmation emails are now being sent out for all appointments, giving clear instructions on how to access the Telehealth Consultation, plus links for completing the necessary medical documentation.
We will also be doing all our treatment review appointments via Telehealth for the foreseeable future.
To book a Telehealth appointment, click here.
We are also making changes to our Pre-clinic and Arrival Protocols as follows:
- All patients will be asked to wait in their car (behind Chilterns House) where we will call them on their mobile, perform a final screening before inviting them into the clinic.
- Instead of the waiting room, there will be a new area where patients will have access to hand gel, gloves, masks, and shoe covers
- There will not be any refreshments or toilets until further notice – sorry!
- All patients will have their temperature taken on arrival
- The practitioner will be wearing the recommended protective equipment, which will be replaced after every patient (i.e. gloves, mask, and an apron) to mitigate risk.
- The clinic will be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly after every patient, in accordance with COVID-19 protocol.
- The clinic will be deep-cleaned daily, using a process known as “Fogging” and also UV sanitation – this will mean that opening and closing times may have to be adjusted to allow time for the additional deep cleansing.
- We use Clinisept+, which has been rigorously and independently tested and proven to be highly effective in killing all enveloped viruses, including Coronavirus, in under 15 seconds.
PPE and Social Distancing
Clare has always used gloves for treatment, and she is now also going to be wearing a mask and visor or goggles for close-up work. Appointments will be carefully scheduled so that only one patient will be in the building with Clare at a time ensuring that social distancing rules can be followed as easily as possible. Patients who feel unwell prior to a booking will be asked to reschedule.
As was the case prior to the Coronavirus lockdown, most products used at the clinic are sterile and single use, so patients will be protected if they choose to proceed with treatment. However, we are not currently able to offer the following treatments, due to the fact that they require more extensive contact: Skin needling/DermaFNS pen; PRP; Standalone Dermalux; and Fire & Ice Medical Facials.
We really appreciate our patients’ continued support during these challenging times, and their understanding regarding the necessary changes to our health and safety processes – we realise that this represents compromises on both sides. However, patient safety, mental and physical wellbeing and care remains at the heart of everything we do here at Appearance Based Medicine, so patients can rest assured that we are doing all we can to ensure that they receive their non-surgical medical aesthetic treatments as safely as possible.
