Covid-19: looking after your business and helping the NHS

As the UK joins the rest of the world in rushing to deal with the COVID-19 global pandemic, aesthetic professionals are fast figuring out ways to try to safeguard both patients and their businesses, while also lending their medical skills and assistance to the NHS. 

How to help if you are medically trained

Sharon King, co-owner of Cosmedic Cosmetic & Aesthetic Medicine in Tamworth, Staffordshire, is calling for fellow medics to group together and offer their services to the NHS, should they be required, to help deal with the outbreak. As a registered nurse and independent prescriber having formally worked in the NHS, King is asking any colleagues working privately who have the skills to assist or help NHS staff to join a register of names to be passed on to the relevant authorities.

In a post on her personal Facebook page, she said: “Our medical teams will be stretched beyond belief or capacity over the next few weeks or months. This will have a detrimental effect on our businesses and healthcare generally, but in these trying times I ask that anyone who can assist or can help our colleagues working in the NHS offers their services, no matter how big or small.” Anyone willing to help should email [email protected] with their name, designation, contact details including phone number and registration number. 

How to look after your business

Meanwhile, London-based Artistry Clinic has shared a recommended course of action for fellow clinics and independent practitioners to deal with the situation and ensure business still runs smoothly where possible. 

Co-owner Dr Majid Shah said: “We have recognised that inviting patients to keep their appointments means having to get to us, meaning more travel and more interaction with other potentially infected members of the public. We understand that this is the choice of those who come to see us, but it would weigh heavy if any our patients get ill. [By] being socially responsible now by reducing clinic days and restricting the others, [we] can do our bit to reduce the severity of this outbreak in the UK in the long term.

“In order to keep safe and efficient during this time, we would advise and have put the following into place for Artistry Clinic; reducing working days from five days to one/two, splitting staff groups into two, rescheduling patient appointments to coincide with off peak travel hours and non Uber surge times, and cancelling review appointments unless absolutely necessary”.

Laser and devices manufacturer Lynton Lasers also shared advice on what to tell clients booked for appointments.

The suggested message is as follows:

"Coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. For the fit and healthy, it remains a mild illness, however it is important to limit the spread to protect the health and wellbeing of the whole population. The staff and clinicians at the clinic take the responsibility to protect your health seriously. With this in mind, we have instituted the following measures:

 • Any staff who are feeling unwell or are showing symptoms will be asked not to come to work.

• We will greet clients with warm smiles rather than handshakes and hugs!

• We will regularly clean door handles and shared surfaces with a powerful viricidal/bacterial disinfectant during the day and after the clinic closes.

• All clients will be asked to wash their hands-on arrival and departure.

• All staff will perform a 20 second-hand wash between clients and / or every hour.

• Tissues can be found around the clinic to help catch it, bin it and kill it.

• We kindly request that any clients displaying known symptoms do not attend the clinic, we will be understanding if appointments need to be cancelled.

• Appointments will be well spaced out to allow extra hygiene measures between patients and avoid cross over in waiting areas.

• Home delivery of product orders can be arranged, please contact us to arrange.

• Face masks and gloves will be worn by our therapists during every treatment.

Other than that, it’s business as usual here and we appreciate your support!

We continue to follow the advice of the Department of Health and Chief Medical Officer, as things are changing every day, we will endeavour to provide you with regular updates."