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COVID-19 HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE PROTOCOL FOR THE COUCH PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY

Dear Valued Clients,

COVID-19 HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE PROTOCOL FOR THE COUCH PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY  

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation and World Health Organisation’s declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Couch has formulated a strategy in order to help minimise the spread of the virus within our practice space. Whilst we remain operational during this time, there are a number of procedures we will be undertaking. The Couch is committed to upholding all government instructions and recommendations, and has therefore compiled the following protocol to be applied at our physical premises:

1. Protocol for Entering the Practice

    • All patients and practitioners will be screened at the entrance, including temperature measurement and a COVID-19 screening questionnaire.
    • Entry will not be permitted if a patient or a practitioner display any of the following symptoms, or have exhibited them in the past two weeks: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath/chest pains, fever, aches and pains.
    • Entry will not be permitted if the patient or practitioners have been in contact with an infected person in the past two weeks.
    • Entry will not be permitted if the patient or anyone they live with is considered a high-risk patient for COVID-19.
    • Hand sanitising is required upon entrance, sanitiser will be provided.
    • Entry will not be permitted without a mask, worn correctly i.e. covering both the mouth and nose.

2. Waiting room protocol

    • Only a limited number of people are allowed in the waiting area at one time.
    • Patients are advised to wait in the car until the scheduled appointment time should they arrive early.
    • All chairs in the waiting area will be kept at least one meter apart from each other
    • Chairs and surfaces will be sanitised in between patients

3. Safety Measures and Hygiene protocols

    • Both patients and practitioners must wear a mask at all times, including during and between consultations.
    • Practitioner must wear a mask when using public transport to travel to and from work.
    • Practitioner’s masks must be washed daily.
    • Hand sanitizer will be provided in each therapy room and must be applied before and after each session.
    • Windows must remain open in therapy rooms to allow for adequate ventilation.
    • Therapy rooms, waiting area, materials and surfaces will be disinfected after each patient.
    • Patients and practitioners are encouraged to make use of online or telephonic consultations whenever possible as a means of helping flatten the spread of the virus.
    • In a case where a patient or a practitioner is displaying symptoms, they will be requested to self-isolate for two weeks and make use of telephonic or online consultations instead of a face to face appointment.

4. Procedures Following a Positive COVID-19 Diagnosis of a Staff Member or Patient at the Practice

    • Should a staff member test positive for COVID-19, everyone who has been in contact with that person will be notified and instructed to self-isolate.
    • Following a positive diagnosis and the required period of self-isolation, the staff member will be allowed to return to the Practice only once they have been tested and received a negative diagnosis.
    • Should a patient who has been to the practice be tested positive for COVID-19, all staff members who have been in contact with them will be required to self-isolate for two weeks. The practice will be closed down to perform sanitisation of the entire office space in accordance with the Department of Health Guidelines.
    • Following a positive diagnosis and the required period of self-isolation, a patient will be allowed to attend sessions at the practice only once they have been tested and received a negative diagnosis.

It is important to note that all the above aspects are being implemented to ensure that the support staff and patients are protected from Covid-19. However, it is not possible to ensure that support staff or patients will not be exposed to Covid-19 outside of the therapeutic environment and therefore the Staff cannot be held responsible should any patients test positive for Covid-19.