Patient and public information: COVID-19
BCA position on COVID-19
We know that patients and the public want to know more about how chiropractors are responding to patient needs during COVID-19.
Update May 31 2022
- The English and Welsh government has now removed the mandatory requirement for face masks in healthcare settings but Infection, Prevention and Control measures are still being followed for England and Wales and so chiropractors should continue with risk assessed consultations. If a healthcare professional’s risk assessment determines that PPE measures are still required, they can continue with this, as long as it is consistently applied.
- In Scotland facemask use in healthcare settings seem likely to last until July – Winter (21/22), Respiratory Infections in Health and Care Settings Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Addendum
- In Northern Ireland face masks are still encouraged in most settings – Coronavirus (COVID-19): face coverings guidance | nidirect
It is still not advisable to visit for healthcare appointments if you suspect you have COVID 19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID 19.
FAQs for patients and public
It depends on which part of the UK you are in. The requirement for mask wearing for healthcare settings in England and Wales has now been removed but healthcare practitioners are still required to risk assess their patient encounters and, depending on their risk assessment, a chiropractor may still be wearing PPE for your consultation and ask that you wear a mask if you can. The regulator for chiropractic also requires that each patient visit is risk assessed.
BCA members are advised to continue to undertake a thorough risk assessment.
This will include reading and understanding the following documents:
- The latest national guidance for England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, as appropriate.
- Infection Protection and Control Guidance Protocols for healthcare settings in their home country.
A chiropractor will carry out a risk assessment of their clinical setting (using the BCA Infection Prevention and Control document) and continue to review this, as well as keeping up to date with the latest requirement of the chiropractic regulator, the General Chiropractic Council.
In the UK, Chiropractors are regulated by law and are required to adhere to a strict Code of Practice, similar to the regulations followed, for example, by dentists. The General Chiropractic Council (GCC), has regulated chiropractors since 1997.
The GCC website has information for the public regarding COVID-19 which is updated when changes take place.
The BCA has released a statement regarding false claims of the effect of chiropractic treatment on COVID-19, alongside all of the chiropractic professional associations in the UK and the Royal College of Chiropractors.
Yes! Contact each individual education institution to establish their study protocols.
AECC University College
Parkwood Campus
Parkwood Road
Bournemouth
BH5 2DF
Tel: 01202 436200
email: info@aecc.ac.uk
web: www.aecc.ac.uk
Welsh Institute of Chiropractic
The University of South Wales
Pontypridd
CF37 1GY
Tel: 0800 716 925 FREE
web incl contact: www.southwales.ac.uk/chiro
London South Bank University
103 Borough Road
London
SE1 0AA
Tel: 0800 923 8888
Enquiries
Web: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/courses/course-finder/chiropractic-masters
McTimoney College of Chiropractic
1 Kimber Road
Abingdon
OX14 1BX
Tel: 01235 523 336
web incl contact: http://www.mctimoney-college.ac.uk
Teesside University
Middlesborough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BX
Tel: 01642 218121
web incl contact: https://www.tees.ac.uk/undergraduate_courses/Nursing_Midwifery_&_Health_Professions/MSci_(Hons)_Chiropractic.cfm
We would advise that you contact your chiropractor to discuss matters with them and so that they can then risk assess the situation and make the necessary considerations for a visit.
Chiropractors who wish to, can do consultations in your home. Any visit to a home-setting requires a thorough risk assessment which may take into account other people who live in there and additional risk factors.
This may also include the use of PPE.
