This guidance updates our previous guidance issued on 13 May 2020.
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.
There is no prohibition on chiropractors providing care for patients. Chiropractors should continue to exercise their professional judgement in determining whether it is appropriate to see any, and each, patient.
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)
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 know, and understand, that many chiropractors are considering 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 would remind chiropractors of the need to document any risk assessment and management actions.
It is clear that as Government policy and guidance evolves regularly over the next few months – and it is unlikely there will be a return ‘to normal’ for a considerable time - registrants must carefully consider and make changes to keep patients safe and well. Everyone is going to have to make adaptations for the foreseeable future and move to an approach based on assessments of risks (undertaken routinely and regularly in the light of changing circumstances and in the different parts of the UK) in order to operate safely and effectively.
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.
