lockdown

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november?utm_source=7bc5dcb3-89f3-4f85-9727-b8e92a3b168f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily

Thanks for the link Katherine. I'm unsure if I can work in person as I offer EFT/Matrix Reimprinting, Hypnotherapy etc and Energy Healing and also Reflexology As they are all 'hands off' therapies except the reflexology, I'm not sure I come under any of what the government have listed. Like you, Michael, I consider myself a health & well-being professional, in my case specialising in emotional wellbeing; much needed at this time. I really would like CThA to clarify this.

i have not seen any support from ctha. no announcement on their Facebook page and i had to log in to see this forum question. No clarification and no intention to support members by contacting the government for clarification. Im deeply disappointed and feel horribly let down by this professional body.

I share all the concerns regarding closure of clinical/deep tissue treatments I have practiced at an osteopathic practice for 24 years, dtm is part of the treatment plan for some patients, therefore in a clinical scenario with infection control plans and correct PPE In place o can understand why we can’t continue. I have had some information that under these circumstances you can still operate within the practice during the next lockdown! However I’ve put calls in to the Ctha (who haven’t replied yet.) to clarify this point. The information given to me came through the Osteopath, who is now trying to locate the article but is on holiday without signal. I do know this isn’t helpful for those working in their own clinic. Totally agree that energy based treatments and other therapies are supportive for both physical and psychological conditions and should come outside the realm of parlours and spas! Trained professionals working alongside medics should be given some support. So come on CTHA, please acknowledge the frustration of your members and show willing to get the ball rolling an even reply to this thread

I’ve just spoken to CThA and they are awaiting an updated list from the Government. They hope to receive info today and will email out a newsletter to members.

I also share all your thoughts that we have had no guidance at all and no support from the CThA , which I am deeply disappointed surely they should be corresponding to the Government on all our behalfs. I also am a sports massage therapist and practise Myofascial Release in a clinical setting along side osteopaths with correct PPE in place so cannot understand why we can not practice. I understand that there is a Pandemic at this present time , but surely this is when our patients need us the most. Regards Sharon Reed 3rd nov osteopathic practice Nov 3rd 2020

Having spent the last three days {in between a busy client schedule trying to fit my very needy clients in before this lockdown)and since my last post here, to establish whether I can/can not continue work I am really no further forward. I had a call from CTha to say that I should ring my insurance and local council to see if I am allowed to continue work or not. I have spoken to my insurance company and they have been very helpful in telling me what I can and cannot do. However, having contacted my local council - they have not a clue if we are permitted to work or not and I am waiting for further calls today - which I doubt will happen. So CTha - please help clarify - what are we to do? I do not want to break any rule as I have done everything in my power to work with covid guidelines ensuring my clients health and safety. CTha - please help your members. we need your help and support more than ever now.

Thanks for this link. Unfortunately, I have to agree with so many other on here that I don't believe CTHA is offering anything more than what we already know. There's definitely a case to be made on our behalf, and I don't believe your'e representing us in the way we can reasonably expect from a professional body. Definitely will be reconsidering my membership when renewal the comes.

I am also very confused by the lockdown rules for massage therapists. I am very disappointed - it is now 4 days after the lockdown was announced and still there has not been any information from the CTHA - not even a holding email. I work as a remedial massage therapist and cannot understand now this close contact differs from that of physios, osteos and chiros who are all allowed to continue working, The term 'massage parlour' is most definitely inappropriate and insulting for those of us who have done significant deep tissue training and know how much our clients benefit from this type of massage therapy.

I too am a sports and remedial therapist and have worked as a cancer and palliative care specialist within the NHS setting. I have heard conflicting reports from different organisations - and a claim that level 4 and 5 sports and remedial therapists are being allowed to work in the same way that chiros and osteopaths can. I do not know where they sourced that info from. I echo the concerns of others that we are lumped under the banner of 'massage parlours' which is both insulting and inaccurate. I actually brought this up in the AoR forums just yesterday. It's about time we fought to have our own banding. My insurance is through CThA brokers. I have two questions: - What is the stance for L4 sports and remedial therapists - are we able to work? - What is the stance for training of therapies at this time? Schools continue but training in close contact services do not? Can only theory be taught at this moment in time?

My insurance company have agreed to cover me if I am treating clients for an ongoing health condition and not doing face massage or Indian head massage.

I have not had an email and am not convinced that CThA are doing enough to support us and our clients. FHT give clear advice without having to be a member or log in. Their insurance allows a much wider range of practices to continue working than the CThA does. We know how important our work is to our clients. We've had them all return after the first lockdown with their shoulders fused to their ears from working at home, nevermind what they first came to see us for. We have heard their struggles with mental health issues during lockdown and it is clear that regular massage is a vital part of their wellbring. My membership renewed in March but I will be moving to FHT the next time it is due for renewal. They have done so much more to support, advocate for, and inform their members. Ps. I am NOT a massage parlour!

Fazlin, thank you for the information. I didn't realise that the CThA could provide that free service for members. I will get in touch with the CThA straight away. My clients are very disappointed that at the moment I cannot treat them. Hopefully, I will have some good news for them soon.

Hi Sophie, just received another email from CThA, which is very informative, as follows: Thank you for your email. If you are providing a therapy service to support a client who has a physical or mental health condition or injury, and this is clearly indicated in their consultation form, it is the CThA’s understanding that this could be defined as offering a 'health service' under the guidance for the period 5 November – 2 December 2020 (see current restrictions). The Department for Business has further confirmed that: Therapists working alongside statutory regulated health professionals will be able to continue to provide therapy services where the therapy service is part of the overall healthcare plan for patients. Therapists who rent a room in clinics alongside osteopaths, physiotherapists and other statutory regulated health professionals, who refer clients to them for medical reasons, will be able to continue treating these clients. Therapists who receive direct referrals from a statutory regulated health professional will be able to continue providing their therapy service in a private setting (eg. the therapist's home/ the client's home) subject to a Covid-19 Risk Assessment and adherence to the regulations for home treatments. As every therapy business is different, if you would like to seek further clarification from your local health authority about whether it is appropriate for you to continue working at this time, please do so. Please also ensure that if you are continuing to work, you strictly observe the following: the New national restrictions from 5 November the government guidance for close contact services any other relevant government guidance relating to the context where you work Kind Regards