We Are Open!

​What a crazy year the last few weeks have been! With new government restrictions, quarantines, social distancing measures, health advice and calls to work from home where possible, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has definitely shaken up the way we all live our lives. This has also changed the way that we operate as a clinic at NExT Osteo & Rehab, but we are glad to be able to keep our doors open and continue taking bookings for both existing and new patients. We are glad that we can help take some strain away from GP clinics and hospitals by remaining an option for injury management and to aid with chronic condition management. Mostly though, we are glad to be able to continue helping all of you who choose to come and see us for your injuries.

While Carly and Liam will still be providing Exercise Physiology and Osteopathy services, Alice has unfortunately had to stop work for the moment as massage therapists are not currently allowed to practice. We wish Alice all the best while she bunkers down at home away from the ‘Rona, and we look forward to welcoming her back once all this has passed… and it WILL pass.

While Carly and Liam continue working, some hygiene and social distancing changes have been made to the clinic to help adhere to the new normal that we have found ourselves in. Most importantly, we have made these changes to help minimise risks for all of you who come here, as well as ourselves.
Changes we have made include:

• Disinfecting all doors, desks, chairs, treatment tables, exercise equipment, HICAPS/EFTPOS machine, etc after each use, as well as at the start and end of each work day.
• Spacing out waiting room chairs and reducing the number of chairs in the waiting room to aid social distancing measures.
• Getting you to swipe or tap your own cards in the HICAPS/EFTPOS machine to reduce card handling.
• Checking body temperature with a no-touch thermometer for anyone who enters the clinic, including staff.
• Having all patients sanitise their hands as they enter the clinic, prior to their appointment.
• Increased frequency of our own hand-washing and sanitising.
• Removal of towels in the bathroom, replaced by single use paper towels instead.
• Performing osteopathic sessions on a wipeable table surface, which will be thoroughly disinfected between each patient.
• Asking patients to each bring their own bath or beach towel to their appointment, to reduce our handling of towels and linen.
• Observing all social distancing measures in our own lives and ensuring we remain at home if we are unwell.

We ask that you do not book an appointment, or to reschedule an existing appointment if:

• You or someone at home has returned from overseas or interstate in the last 2 weeks.
• You are at all unwell (fever, cough, sore throat, chest tightness, etc), and to contact your GP if symptoms persist, or you have these symptoms and have returned from overseas or interstate in the last 2 weeks.
• You have been in direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has a suspected case of COVID-19.
• You are waiting on a COVID-19 test result

While we will not exclude you from receiving care if you feel you need it, we ask that you consider whether your appointment is necessary at this point in time if you are in one of the following 3 groups that has been asked to remain home where possible by the government:

• Anyone over 70 years of age.
• Anyone over 60 with a chronic medical condition – particularly heart conditions, lung conditions, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer and high blood pressure.
• Indigenous people over 50 years of age.

We will remain open for as long as we are allowed to continue running our Osteopathy and Exercise Physiology services, or until it seems to unsafe to continue working should local case numbers rise to a high level. We are also exploring the option of telehealth services for those who may benefit from this, and will update you more over the coming weeks.

We would like to thank you all for your support over our opening 12 months. It was such a hectic first year, and we are so happy to turn 1 that we might... hmmm... I know! Celebrate at home on our own as we are practicing responsible social distancing! But seriously, as challenging as this next period will be, we look forward to seeing many of you over the next 12 months. You can always reach us by on 0450 062 223, or by our emails listed below for any appointments, advice, health tips, or even just for a chat if you feel the need during this uncertain time.

Otherwise until we see you next, be kind to each other, look out for your neighbours (especially if they are elderly or at higher risk), stay healthy and keep safe.

Take care everyone!
​
Liam (liam@nextosteorehab.com.au)
Carly (carly@nextosteorehab.com.au)
&
Alice (alice@nextosteorehab.com.au)