Before Your Visit

COVID-19 Questionnaire

We will ask you to complete a brief questionnaire the day before your visit, to help us assess your personal COVID-19 risk and send confirmation of this back to us. This is to determine whether or not it is safe for you to visit us. In any case, if you have recently been in contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19 or if you feel at all unwell before your visit (even if you don’t think you have COVID-19), please call us on 0203 865 1142. 

Refreshments and Lunch

We are trying to minimise unnecessary visits outside, so please bring food and drink with you but please note that we cannot store or heat up food for you. A cold–water dispenser is available in reception, but our usual self-service hot drinks and snacks are not available – please ask a member of staff if you would like a hot drink. 

Group Attendance

To assist with social distancing, please attend with as few people as possible. However, if it is necessary for you to attend with colleagues, please let us know names and numbers in advance so we may ensure sufficient space is available. Your colleagues will also be asked to complete a COVID questionnaire. 

Transport

All staff are minimising their use of public transport and using alternative methods of transport where possible. As per UK Government requirements, all staff are adhering to the use of face-coverings and hand-sanitiser while travelling to and from work; we ask visitors to do the same. 

During Your Visit

Temperature Measurements

We will ask your permission to take your temperature (from your forehead) via a hand-held device as soon as you arrive. We can only continue with your visit if your temperature is in the normal range (below 37.8°C). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one of the earliest symptoms of a coronavirus infection is a fever, and temperature checking can help us reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by avoiding keeping anyone on site who has an abnormal temperature. 

Hand Washing & Social Distancing

As soon as you enter the building, you will be directed to a hand sanitiser post. There are visual hand washing guides and additional hand sanitiser posts throughout the building – please wash and/or sanitise your hands regularly throughout your visit. Please try and maintain a 2m distance between yourself and others whenever possible. 

Masks and Other Protective Equipment

All staff, visitors, patients and their study partners (unless exempt as per government guidelines) are required to wear face-coverings at all times while on site. Please bring a suitable mask, visor or face-covering to wear during your visit – please ask if you need any assistance with this, and let us know if you are exempt. All SPCR staff are supplied with face-coverings for visitor contact. 

SCPR Staff Infection Control Policies

Team Management

All staff are minimising their use of public transport where possible and are using alternative methods of transport. As per UK Government guidelines, all staff are adhering to the use of face-coverings while travelling to and from work. We also require all staff to wear face-coverings at all times while on site and maintain social distancing. Visitors to our clinic are restricted to essential workers, and all deliveries undergo disinfection upon arrival. 

Cleaning and Disinfection

Due to the nature of the work we do, under normal circumstances we already carry out have high-grade cleaning across the site. In addition to this, staff will be regularly sanitising surfaces and other high-use items in between visits and throughout the day. Our professional cleaning service will continue to attend at the end of each working day to complete a thorough clean of the entire premises with antiviral and disinfectant cleaning agents. 

Additional Training

All SPCR staff have had extensive training regarding daily infection control and prevention, and this has always been key to the way we operate even prior to COVID-19. Our staff have received additional training on all aspects of our COVID-19 policy, including advice on increased hand-hygiene measures and minimising ways of transmitting infection.  

Protective Equipment

We have a designated changing room and an on-site only clinical scrub uniform policy for all clinical staff. Prior to any patient contact, staff will change into new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including disposable apron or gown, gloves, eye protection and clinical facemask, to be disposed of at the end of each visit. For assessment visits (where it may be important for you or your study partner to see the assessor’s mouth or hear them more clearly), staff will be equipped with a clear face visor or a shielding screen.