Coronavirus (COVID-19)

28/01/2022
Face masks still required
Despite the change in public guidance regarding mask wearing, Infection Prevention and Control guidelines remain in place across all healthcare settings. This includes the need for universal use of face masks for staff and face masks or coverings for all patients and visitors (unless exempt) and physical distancing of at least one metre.

When you come into the practice for an appointment, please remember that social distancing remains in place in the practice and you will need to wear a face mask upon entering the practice. This is because the Government's latest COVID-19 guidance states, "Health and care settings will continue to maintain appropriate infection prevention and control processes”. The infection control process for our practice will not change with the lifting of COVID19 restrictions.

It’s very important we continue to follow this guidance as we are a healthcare setting, and we are doing everything we can to ensure your safety when you come to the practice.

We are working extremely hard to provide care to our patients within the restrictions and guidance.

Similar public health measures are still in place for hospitals and GP practices, too.

As you will know, the Prime Minister has confirmed that public restrictions will be significantly eased on 19th July. Under the Government's guidance Health and care settings will continue to maintain appropriate infection prevention and control processes as necessary and this will be continually reviewed. Guidance will be updated based on the latest clinical evidence this summer.

Aligndent Limited – The Orthodontic Practice Ashford - COVID-19 Screening Appointment Questionnaire

If you answer YES to any of the questions below, your appointment cannot proceed.

Please call the practice on 01233 610387 to reschedule your appointment.

• Do you, anyone in your household, or anyone in your support bubble, have any symptoms of COVID-19 – including:
• a new, continuous cough; or
• a high temperature (37.8oC or over); or
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell?
• If you, anyone in your household, or anyone in your support bubble have, or have had, possible COVID-19, are you still in the self/household isolation period? If you, anyone in your household, or anyone in your support bubble have tested positive for COVID-19, are you still in the self/household isolation period?
• If you have been notified by NHS Test and Trace that you’ve been in contact with a person with COVID-19, are you still in the isolation period?
• If you have entered or returned to the UK in the last 14 days, are you required to self-isolate?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Risk: There is a very small increased risk of contracting COVID-19 inherent in attending the practice

There is a higher than usual chance of a last- minute cancellation due to current unpredictable circumstances re PPE, staffing, etc.

A one-way system is in place at the practice. You will enter via the front door and leave through the fire exit door turn right at the bottom of the stairs.

Only the patient is to enter the practice where possible, social distancing measures are in place, and where this is not possible you will see screens in place. When the patients name appears on the call-up screens the parent will make their way to the surgery. If you see a patient coming down the stairs please stand back inside the waiting area to allow that patient coming down the stairs to leave the premises.

Only attend at the appointment time. If surgery is running late or you arrive to early we may ask you to wait outside.

To reduce patients waiting at the reception desk follow-up appointments will be will be made upstairs due to the one-way system in place in the practice.

Toilet facilities will not be available unless an emergency due to cleaning after use.

Everyone entering the practice is asked to wear a face covering and will have their temperature taken. Please use the hand sanitiser at the point of entry to the building and entering the surgeries.

2nd November 2020
Appointments at the Orthodontic Practice will continue, current guidance states you can attend medical appointments.
We will update our website if this changes.

Please read the pre-appointment Screening Questionnaire in the attachment below before attending any appointments at this practice.
Thank you

Our practice opened on 15th June but we just wanted to be clear that this is not business as usual. It will still take some time before services return to what you and us have previously experienced as normal.

Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to our staff and your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe. Our practice follows infection control guidelines made by the governing bodies. We are up-to-date on new guidance that has been issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to recommendations.

We would like to inform you of a few further changes we need to implement to reduce the risk to you, your families and to our staff. For example:

• You will receive an text or email beforehand with your appointment time. Please read the attached Covid-19 link in which will take to the pre appointment screening questionnaire IF you answer YES to any of those questions please do not attend the practice and instead call the practice reception team on 01233 610387 where we can talk further about your answers. Please remember to inform us of any changes to your contact number or email address that we have on file. You’ll be asked those same questions again on your arrival to the practice.
• We ask that all persons coming into the practice wear a face mask.
• We have hand sanitizers at the point of entry to the practice, we will ask you to use them when you enter. There are also hand sanitizers at the point of entry to the surgeries any please use them before entering.
• Upon arrival you will have your temperature will be taken. Anyone with temperatures above 37.8 C will be not be allowed to proceed into the building and the appointment will have to be rescheduled.
• Only the patient will be allowed in the upstairs surgery (please inform the reception team if you have a reason why you need to go into surgery with your child). It goes without saying that we are aware that there are patients who must have their parent/guardian/carer with them and we can identify them by records.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your next appointment.
• All team members at the practice are health screened at the start of each day.

We allow greater time between patients for downtime and cleaning.

How you can help:

• A distance of 2 metres where possible must be observed
• Payment should be made by card where possible
• If you show symptoms following your appointment booking, you should contact the practice by phone
• Please do not arrive early to the practice. If necessary, you may be asked to wait outside the practice if this is the case
• Please do not arrive without an appointment

Unfortunately, the virus is still a threat. However, we have always used universal precautions and we continue to do so.

Best wishes
The Orthodontic Team
Ashford