These guidelines have been reviewed and updated at various times over the last few
years since coronavirus has been in circulation.

The latest Female Focus Covid-19 Guidelines have been produced in line with guidelines issued by the government, Public Health England (PHE), The NHS, The Department of Health (DoH), The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

The Current Situation with Covid-19 (Source: Government)

The likelihood of being admitted to hospital directly due to coronavirus is greatly reduced in the general population, with testing in healthcare settings mainly targeted at informing clinical care.

  • Most NHS healthcare staff who have symptoms of a respiratory infection are no longer asked to test for Covid-19.
  • NHS Healthcare staff who test positive for Covid-19 are no longer required to have 2 negative lateral flow device (LFD) tests for Covid-19 before they return to work.
  • NHS Healthcare staff whose job primarily involves providing direct care to inpatients who are severely immunosuppressed, such as those working in inpatient areas for solid organ, stem cell or bone marrow transplant or haemato-oncology patients, should take an LFD test if they develop symptoms of a respiratory infection, in line with locally decided protocols.
  • Healthcare staff whose job primarily involves providing direct care to inpatients who are severely immunosuppressed and who have a positive Covid-19 test should return to work in line with locally decided protocols.

The Current Guidelines (Source: Government / NHS)

The guidelines state: If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as Covid-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people, until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you no longer feel unwell.

It is particularly important to avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell if they are infected with Covid-19 and other respiratory infections, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.

If you have been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, contact your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms.

What are the guidelines if you have a positive Covid-19 test result? (Source: Government / NHS)

Although most people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days, some people may be infectious to other people for up to 10 days from the start of their infection. You should avoid meeting people at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from COVID-19, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19, despite vaccination, for 10 days after the day you took your test.

Reducing the Spread (Source: Government)

The following actions will reduce the chance of passing an infection to others:

  • Wearing a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask
  • Avoiding crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings, or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated
  • Taking any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people
  • Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and before you eat or handle food; avoid touching your face

Female Focus Covid-19 Guidelines

  • The physiotherapist will wear a mask for the appointment if the patient requests this.
  • The physio will consider wearing a mask when seeing an immunosuppressed patient (as this patient may be at higher risk of serious illness if they contracted Covid-19).
  • The physiotherapist will cancel face-to-face appointments if she is too unwell to be in work.
  • If the physiotherapist has a positive Covid-19 test and is too unwell to be work, she will isolate for 5-10 days.

Written by Barbara Chesworth 

For and on behalf of Female Focus Ltd
June 2024