We have put together a list of frequently asked Covid-19 related questions, please get in touch with us for further information.
Are you open?
As an essential medical service, podiatry clinics have never been asking to close however, we have been restricted on the types of patients we are able to treat. Currently, we are open to all patients who are unsuitable for a video consultation or self-care advice. If you have a foot health concern, please do get in contact with us.
What happens when I get there?
When you arrive for your appointment, please wait in the car for as long as you are able to. We kindly ask that you do not enter the pharmacy until your appointment time, if necessary the Podiatrist will come and collect you from outside. Once you have entered the treatment room, the Podiatrist will close the door for you and provide you with hand sanitiser to cleanse your hands.
Do I need to wear a mask?
Before you enter the building, we kindly ask that you cover your face and nose, this could be with a surgical or homemade mask or a scarf. The Podiatrist has the right to refuse treatment if you do not wear a face covering.
Can I wash my hands?
You will be provided with hand sanitiser on arrival however, should you prefer to wash your hands instead, you are welcome to use the facilities provided.
What are you doing to keep me safe?
At J&L Health, we have always upheld the strictest infection control measures and adhered with PPE guidelines, however due to the current circumstances, it has been necessary to increase these further. We are committed to protecting the welfare of our patients and staff at all times, our policies are reviewed regularly following advice from the Government and regulatory body (HCPC) and our professional body (The College of Podiatry).
Our Podiatrists will at a minimum, wear PPE including; a surgical mask, face shield, apron and gloves. It may sometimes be necessary for Podiatrists to wear a surgical gown and/or a nurse cap also. We have introduced an additional 15 minutes to every appointment to allow for a deep clean of the treatment room between each patient. The Podiatrist will not remove their face shield or mask until you have left the room, so this time also allows for donning and doffing of PPE.
An addition to this, we have introduced advanced payments for patients. You will be asked to pay for your treatment before your appointment via email or text to reduce the risk of cross contamination. We understand this may not be possible for all of our patients, in this case our receptionist will be happy to discuss your options with you.
Can I bring a chaperone with me?
We kindly ask that where possible you attend your appointment alone. However, children under the age of 16 and vulnerable adults will be permitted to bring one chaperone with them to their appointment. This may include a friend, relative or carer. The chaperone will also be asked to wear a face covering and sanitise their hands on arrival as per our policy.
Am I allowed to visit the clinic?
Throughout these last few months when we have all been asked to stay at home, medical services such as Podiatry have been exempt from these measures. Whilst previously, we have been limited on the type of patients we have been able to see, if necessary you are allowed to leave your home for medical treatment. Please refer to our previous answers, for information on everything we are doing to keep you safe. For those patients who have received a shielding letter and are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable, we may be able to offer you a home visit. If you would like to discuss this further, please phone us on 01483 425 437.
How do I book an appointment?
We are currently open for all patients who are unsuitable for a video consultation or self care advice. If you feel in need of treatment you will be able to book your appointment in the usual way via our website or over the phone. At the time of booking, our receptionist will need to ask you some questions. This can take around 20 minutes and will include questions about your Covid-19 status, general health and foot complaint. This ensures that we are prioritising appointments for those at high risk of developing an infection, wound or losing a limb. This also allows us to ensure that anyone entering the clinic is free of symptoms, to protect the welfare of our patients and staff. If you book online, one of our receptionists will get in contact with you to complete the triage questionnaire before your appointment.
Where can I get up to date information about the clinic?
We realise that things are not quite normal at the moment and as a result our guidelines are changing regularly. The best way to keep up to date with information about the clinic is to check our website, facebook or instagram page. You can also sign up to our mailing list via our website.
I want to help Godalming Podiatry Clinic!
We have been overwhelmed with the support shown to us over the last few months. As a new small business it really means the world to us and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of those who passed on their well wishes. If you have a foot health concern please do get in touch, we are passionate about Podiatry and would love to help you! If you don’t need us at the moment then thats great! If you would still like to support us, we would be really grateful if you could follow us on social media, tell your friends and family about us or leave a google review here.
Can I use the toilet at Godalming Podiatry Clinic?
Unfortunately, the toilet inside Godalming Pharmacy is for staff use only. The closest public toilets available are situated in Crown Court Car Park, however these are currently closed due to current Covid-19 guidelines.
What happens if I am unhappy about something?
At J&L Health, we always welcome any feedback from our patients. It is always best to speak to your Podiatrist during your appointment if you are unhappy about anything. Our receptionists will also be more than happy to assist you with your query, so please get in contact with us via email or phone and we will aim to respond within 24 hours.
We also love to hear any positive comments! All of our team are extremely passionate about providing an outstanding service to our patients, so if you have been happy with your experience please do let us know too!
If I need to cancel will I get a refund?
We understand that sometimes it is necessary for you to cancel your appointment. We politely request that you give us 24 hours notice if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. As per our cancellation policy, failure to provide us with 24 hours notice, will result in you being charged in full for your appointment.
Why are your prices higher than other private health professionals?
Due to the recent steep increase in costs of PPE and the additional infection control measures we have put in place, we have made the difficult decision to add a temporary £20 surcharge to all of our appointments until further notice. The safety of our patients and staff is paramount, however, it has meant that the number of patients we are able to see has significantly decreased. Many podiatry clinics have unfortunately not been in a position to reopen due to the current circumstances, however, we are passionate about continuing our vital services to our patients and have remained open throughout these difficult times for our most vulnerable patients. We have ensured that this temporary surcharge has been kept to an absolute minimum, without compromising our high-standards of care. We are reviewing this situation regularly and thank you for your understanding.
Due to the nature of Podiatry and the surgical aspect of our treatments our guidelines have always been stricter than that of other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and osteopaths for example. The risk to our staff remains high due to our treatments often producing large amounts of aerosols including dust and water droplets. As HCPC registered Podiatrists we must adhere to strict guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, such as sterilising our surgical instruments, you can find out more by visiting their website, alternatively your Podiatrist will be happy to discuss any queries you may have.
