Summary
We are open for urgent care only. Not routine care or 'tune ups'
We can operate at level 3 so long as we follow strict guidelines.
Under these guidelines, you must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for treatment.
Even if you meet these criteria we may decline treatment and this will depend on the current covid outlook in Hamilton.
This was written on 10/10/2021 and is likely to change over time.
Guidelines for receiving treatment at level 3
Previously we have shut our clinic at Level 3 and this has been based on the best advice at the time. New clarification and advice suggest that we can operate, however, we must follow a strict set of guidelines. Generally speaking, this means we are open for acute care or to provide care for people whose condition is expected to or likely to get significantly worse if they do not access care. Frustratingly this advice is still quite vague. Therefore, we must speak to you via telehealth or phone call prior to you physically attending the clinic. This will give us a chance to ask relevant questions, minimise our contact time and make an informed decision. When appropriate, treatment will only be provided in our back room. This room is deemed to have more than adequate ventilation and is easy to clean. However this is a smaller room, so attend bookings with as few support people as possible. We will allow for 7 bookings per day and these will be well spaced to give adequate cleaning time and reduce incidental contact. In addition to wearing a mask and signing in, we will also only have one osteo working per day. It is important to note that we are still taking a safety-first approach as we have 'at risk' people living in our personal bubbles. To be blunt, your vaccine status, personal risk profile, and the state of covid in our local community will play a role in deeming whether you are safe to treat.
The exact wording
I have included the exact wording here. If you feel you meet one or more of these criteria please get in touch. If you are not too sure (because it is quite vague) please get in touch. Of the points made B, D and E are likely the most relevant.
a. a condition which is life or limb threatening; or
b. treatment required to maintain the basic necessities of life; or
c. treatment that cannot be delayed or carried out remotely without risk of significant harm or permanent and/or significant disability, or
d. where failure to access services will lead to an acute deterioration of a known condition; or
e. where delay in access to services will impact the consumer’s ability to maintain functional independence and significantly negatively impact quality of life
AND
f. which cannot be delivered by a service which is currently operating or by clinicians that are already in contact with the patient for ongoing care.
Examples of who might be treated
Acute low back pain would be a typical case. This is often a person who has put in a big effort in the garden and is now struggling to get out of a chair and to care for themselves or others.
A person suffering headaches. These headaches may be getting worse, are non-responsive to simple medications and prevent the person from completing daily tasks.
The process of getting treated
Contact us via phone call, Facebook etc
Complete telehealth or phone 'interview' with the respective osteopath
If appropriate, arrange a booking time
Complete any new paperwork digitally. Including ACC forms.
Complete our covid screening questionnaire
Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Do not attend if feeling unwell.
Arrive for treatment only session - this will reduce the overall appointment time as the 'interview' phase will have covered the required questioning time.
Pay our usual fee by EFTPOS ($80 private, $50 on ACC)
A note from us
We miss treating people and we are frustrated that we can only operate under such strict measures. But we are more than happy to operate where we can act legally, safely and effectively. If you would like to discuss your pain complaint and organize a treatment you will find our contact details on top of this page. You can also click on "BOOK NOW" to organize a telehealth appointment.
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