Lockdown 2.0 - Is it Possible to Provide Treatments During Lockdown?

Holistyx closed on Thursday 5th November 2020 under advice from Federation of Holistic Therapists that all Massage Therapists and Holistic Centres were required to do so. 

However, it then came to my attention that in 

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 
p32, Part 3, Businesses permitted to stay open are listed as: 
47. Dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health.

I am listed for all therapies I practice on the FHT Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register, which has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, a body accountable to Parliament. 

So I should be allowed to open, and various Professional Associations have discussed this clause with BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) and received conformation that under certain circumstances, Massage and other Therapeutic Services will be recognised as permitted. However, there is some disagreement within the Complementary Healthcare sector (eg between different Professional Associations) about how to interpret this legislation, and what the criteria are. 

This is excerpts of the advice of the FHT, my own Professional Association:

Providing treatments during lockdown 

Due to the national restrictions introduced in England on 5 November, the first thing we would like to emphasise is that it is not 'business as usual' for all of our members and their clients.  

Until the national restrictions are lifted, members should only support clients who have a genuine health condition/medical need. This might include, for example, clients who have a health condition or injury that is currently causing them pain or mobility issues, or is impacting their quality of life.  

It is important that members assess their clients' needs on a case by case basis, prior to seeing them, to determine if treatment is appropriate at this time. In the FHT's opinion, it would not be appropriate, for example, to treat clients for health complaints or injuries that are minor or self-limiting (which improve on their own) or for general stress relief, relaxation or preventative healthcare purposes. While we fully appreciate the importance of supporting clients for these reasons, the focus should be on treating clients with essential health needs during the national restrictions. For those who have less urgent health needs, please defer their treatments until after 3 December and offer them some self-care advice or remote support to help them in the meantime...

Please note that when treating someone who has a medical health condition, we strongly recommend that members ask their client to seek consent from their GP or other health professional responsible for their care. If consent is obtained verbally by the client, it is important to make a note of this on their record. If the client is unable to obtain consent, for whatever reason, then ultimately it comes down to your individual risk assessment of that client and your professional judgement as to whether or not it is safe to go ahead with the treatment. However, you would need to discuss this with your client, and you must both feel comfortable with the decision to go ahead with treatment, and a note made of this on their record. "

With that in mind, if you:

- Have been to me previously for treatment (ie are not a completely new client)

- Have an urgent and essential need for treatment in relation to a diagnosed physical or mental health condition (eg severe pain, inability to sleep, inability to function as necessary for daily life or work, serious deterioration of your physical or mental health condition)  

- Have the support of your GP or other health professional to receive treatment with me, or are prepared to contact them to seek that support - get in touch with me by phone or email to discuss whether I may be able to offer you an emergency treatment at this time.