Important information for all clients attending SDA clinic

It is essential that all clients read the following information before arriving at the clinic for any treatment and when entering the premises to purchase products.

We are following the advice and guidance provided by the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses in their recent document, ‘Guidelines for Covid-19 reintegration of medical aesthetic services’ to help us ensure the safety of all staff and clients and prevent the spread of any infection protecting the wider community, NHS and key workers.

Very important:

We will be operating at a reduced capacity but there is great demand for appointments. It is essential that you cancel your appointment with us if you have any symptoms that may be related to Covid-19, a raised temperature, a member of your household is unwell, or you have been contacted by contact tracers to inform you that you are required to isolate. We ask that if you have travelled overseas or attended a large event (although currently this is not allowed under the government restrictions) you do not attend the clinic for at least 15 days.

We also ask that you consider your sun exposure. If you have an active tan you cannot have IPL treatments – please postpone your appointment. If you are on any type of medication please check with us that you are can still be treated.  We want to utilise every appointment space. If you need to cancel please let us know as soon as possible to allow us the opportunity to fill that appointment time.

You will understand that clinicians will need to focus on your treatment as soon as you are in the treatment room and they will try to reduce your time in the enclosed space to the minimum.  It will also be more difficult to communicate as the clinicians will be wearing PPE. Appointments have to run to time to allow for cleaning and reduce the likelihood of you meeting the next client in the reception area. There is no other way of putting this – but to say that your visit to our lovely clinic might not feel quite so social and friendly as it has done in the past. As soon as it is safe to do so we will want to get back to a more complete and rounded service, SDA style!  Forgive us – no hugging and handshakes.

We ask all clients visiting the clinic to respect our staff and follow their instructions. Normal evacuation procedures apply if the fire alarm should sound.

Other information you need to know

• You will be asked to complete a health status questionnaire before your appointment. This will be sent to you via email and we request that you complete and return it to us at prior to your appointment. Treatments will not be undertaken unless this form is complete.  In exceptional circumstances or you cannot return the form to us, receptionists will go through the form with you on the telephone.
• We will be following social distancing requirements as far as we can during the time you are in the clinic.
• Our clinicians will be wearing protective clothing, masks and visors. If you do not provide your own, you will be offered a face mask if your treatment allows this to be worn.
• We ask that you do not arrive early for your appointment. If you would prefer you can wait in your car and wait to be called in. Let us know you are waiting outside. OR we encourage you to wait in our outside reception area which is under cover.
• Hand sanitiser will be provided just outside our door. Please use this before entering the clinic.
• Doors will be opened for you to reduce touch points during your visit.
• Our toilets are reserved for staff. However, we do realise that you may need to use them in an emergency. They will be cleaned after use by everyone.
• We will be unable to provide any drinks.
• All areas of the clinic have been stripped of leaflets, excess furniture and non-essential items. Couches will not have towels or blankets only a plastic cover which can be wiped over and paper couch roll which can be disposed of after one use.
• You are asked to bring as little with you as possible (sorry no shopping bags).
• You will understand reducing the number of surfaces means we have less areas to clean between each client.
• Treatment rooms and the reception area will be cleaned after each client with special attention to all touch surface areas, such as the payment machine.
• No cash payments will be taken. You will be able to pay by BACs if you cannot pay by card or ApplePay.
• Both treatment rooms will be in use some days. Appointments will be booked to stagger clients to reduce contacts in the reception area.
• There will be a Perspex partition screen around the reception desk and floor markings to help us all maintain the required 2 metres distance whilst making your next appointment or paying for your treatment. Our clinicians will leave you at the treatment room door.
• We will be unable to offer some of our treatments but will inform clients accordingly.
• As always, we will be happy to discuss product purchases with you but we will ask you not to touch our products which are on display.

Please be assured that all staff have had additional training so they are aware and able to complete all the requirements outlined above. They have undertaken additional training in health and hygiene and have been required to read the full guidance provided by the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses before commencing work.

We are learning all the time and will be looking at ways to continually improve our practice and implement further guidance as it becomes available or is advised by the Government and/or Public Health. If you see anything which you are not happy with or anything we could improve upon during your time at the clinic, please inform us so we can improve safety for all.