New Covid-19 restrictions in the UK

Over recent days all four countries of the UK have announced further restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19. This includes the introduction of tier 4 restrictions in London and parts of the south-east and east of England.

The GCC continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and the latest Government advice and guidance and expects chiropractors to be aware of developments and up to date guidance.

The government of each country has issued new rules over the last few days.

To date, as registered health and care professionals, chiropractors are permitted to provide care for patients.

Information about the transmissibility risks of the new variant of coronavirus indicate that more people are infected more quickly.

Chiropractors should continue to exercise their professional judgement in determining whether it is appropriate to see any, and each, patient.

We do not expect a registrant to provide treatment unless, in their professional opinion, it is safe to do so for the patients and registrant.

We expect chiropractors to consider when, how and to whom to offer face-to-face appointments based on their assessment of risk and patient need and how to adapt their practice in the light of risks. 

We remind chiropractors of the need to document any risk assessment and management actions.

Patients will be looking for information and assurance about the measures practices have put in place to minimise the risk of transmission and we expect registrants to exercise their professional judgement and record how their practice has been assessed and adapted and how these measures have been communicated to patients. In the absence of such information registrants are vulnerable in the event of any complaint.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the GCC has consistently stated that for patients in need of care a registrant must have regard to the Code, and must:

• put patients’ health first, respect them and ensure that you promote their health and welfare at all times (Principle A)
• prioritise patients’ health and welfare at all times when carrying out assessments, making referrals or providing or arranging care (A5)
• treat patients in a hygienic and safe environment (A6)

The activities carried out by the GCC are unaffected by these recent developments.