Your ACPAT physiotherapist has indicated that they are prepared to visit your premises during the COVID-19 outbreak in order to attend your animal. In doing so they are potentially placing themselves at risk and you should respect the guidance they have provided which not only aims to protect them, but also you or your staff. If physical distancing and biosecurity measures are not respected then this and future physiotherapy visits are unlikely to be possible.
If anyone at the property exhibits signs of COVID-19 (such as a high temperature or persistent cough) or is self-isolating or is considered vulnerable to COVID-19 (age > 70, underlying health condition, pregnancy) then you should inform your ACPAT physiotherapist. We have advised our members to carry out health screening questionnaires for owners to help them evaluate risk and to inform decision making regarding PPE and whether to attend or not. If anyone at the property develops signs that could be due to COVID-19 prior to the visit, then you MUST contact your ACPAT physiotherapist immediately.
Your physio will minimise the time spent at your property. You should not expect your physio to enter into discussion at the time but rather collect a history beforehand and inform you of their findings/instructions by Telephone or video.
Only one person from your property should assist the ACPAT physiotherapist (even if horses belonging to a number of different owners are being examined / treated)
Physical distancing (at least 2 metres) should be maintained throughout the visit.
Your attending physiotherapist may be wearing PPE- please do not be worried by this. They may also ask you to wear gloves throughout the visit- please do not be offended.
Please refrain from touching any physio equipment and remain a minimum of 2 metres from any equipment, the therapist and from the physio’s car at all times.
You should determine where the physio can park in advance so that they can avoid contact with others and minimise the length of their visit. A means of alerting you to the physio’s arrival should also be discussed.
In regards to equine visits you should not expect the physio to enter an office, house, coffee room or any other building other than to see the horse or wash their hands. Your physio is likely to prefer not to enter any buildings