Covid-19 Latest Restrictions - November 2020

We're back again with a further update in light of the latest restrictions announced by the UK Government over the weekend.  The safety of our visitors and staff have always been the number one priority throughout this period and we continue to do everything in our power to safeguard the Jigsaw OT centre against the spread of the Covid-19 virus. No transmission of the virus has occurred through any of our face-to-face services which we hope reflects the effect of the measures we have in place.

As providers of vital therapy services we will be remaining open throughout the period of the new National Restrictions being imposed from the 5th November. We believe in our existing measures and strongly encourage all visitors to adhere to the steps we have put in place and urge you to self monitor ahead of any appointments. 

Please see below for full details of all the measures in place at the centre for all visitors: 

• We continue to ask all visitors to self-screen before visiting the Jigsaw OT centre to help lessen the spread of the virus. We ask that you do not visitif you or any member of your household have any symptoms of the Coronavirus, specifically if you have:
  -  a high temperature; any new high temperature or you and/or your child feels hot to touch. 
  - a new continuous cough; coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. 
  - a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste; a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal. 

• There is clear signage at our entrance highlighting this point and we reserve the right to refuse entry to any visitor we feel has not adhered to this guidance. We have the facility to take visitors temperatures, via an electronic forehead thermometer, and will apply this facility to check any visitors who may be visibly displaying symptoms or at your request.

• We also kindly request that you use our unique QR code to check-in when arriving at our centre. We have a number of posters displaying this code which can be used to scan upon arrival via the NHS Covid-19 app on your mobile device.

• OT’s and reception staff will wear face coverings/shields for circumstances where any direct contact is required, closer than 2 metres distance, with visitors. We politely are request that all adult visitors, and children over the age of 11, wear a face covering when inside the centre and we have signage at the entrance to the centre highlighting this requirement. We understand that for a few children these face coverings will bring up negative connotations so please be assured that we will be mindful of this and will make accommodations where necessary. As per the UK Government guidance we will not be requesting children under the age of 11 to wear face coverings. 

• Communal areas of the centre remain closed and we are operating a drop off system only for sessions. All parents/carers will be asked to either drop their child/young person off at the entrance when greeted by a member of staff and then return to their vehicles or join the session with their child/young person. Assessments will require both children/young people and their parents/cares to be present in our therapy rooms. It will not be permitted to sit and wait inside the centre under any circumstances. Visitors must exit the centre as soon as the appointment is completed and it is not possible for the OT to provide detailed feedback following each session, if a conversation with your OT is required please make arrangements for a telephone call at a convenient time. 

• Upon entry all visitors will be requested to wash their hands before entering the therapy room and before leaving the centre at the end of the session. Hand washing facilities will be available for this purpose in addition to hand sanitiser where hand washing is not possible. We will have clear signage throughout the centre highlighting the importance of hand washing. 

• Clear floor markings are in place and continue to promote 2 metre distancing at the entrance/reception area of the centre and in the few remaining communal areas (i.e. hallways, hand washing areas etc). 

• All communal food and drink will remain unavailable from the kitchenette area at the centre. We ask that all visitors bring a personal bottle of water to their session should they require a drink. 

• Our therapy rooms will continue to have limitations in relation to the amount of equipment and resources that will be available to help maintain the required levels of hygiene. Each room is being thoroughly disinfected and sanitised following each and every session. General communal areas throughout the centre are disinfected and sanitised at regular intervals throughout each day. All staff are instructed to wash their hands at least every 2 hours whilst at the centre and OT’s between every session.

Whilst we believe we have every measures in place to safeguard our visitors, staff and the centre as a whole to allow we appreciate that for some of the families we support it may be that you do not wish to visit during the latest National Restrictions. We completely understand this position and please be assured that you will not be charged for any late cancellations nor will your existing session slot be released while you are unable to visit. 

For those families who are unable to visit for face-to-face services we will be very happy to provide you with remote support over the coming weeks to help in anyway we can. 

Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss the options for your child's therapy throughout November and we'll be happy to discuss your options and answer any questions you might have. It is our hope that we will continue to be able to support as many families as we can as we work through this latest challenge. 

Thank you.