Many physiotherapists are preparing to return to working alongside sports teams, players and athletes over the coming weeks, whether that be on the field, courtside or within clubrooms. It is important to remember that while many sports have been allowed to resume at Alert Level 2, physiotherapists working with these athletes are still required to take the same care and precautions to protect themselves and the public, as they would working in any other environments. (more…)

Now that COVID-19 Alert Level 2 has come into effect, physiotherapists have much greater freedom to see patients in face-to-face clinical consultations. But normal service hasn’t resumed yet– Ministry of Health orders require healthcare providers to take specific actions to prevent and control infection during Alert Level 2. Guidance on how those orders apply to physiotherapists can be found here.

This article considers how physiotherapists should deal with personal information about their patients during Alert Level 2 and considers two key aspects:

• What personal information should physiotherapists collect and how should that information be collected?
• How may personal information be used or disclosed?

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The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has published its decision upholding a charge against Mr Ashley Stiven, a physiotherapist practising in Dunedin.

The charge related to ACC claims for treatment of people close to him. The full decision is available here. The Board’s Treatment of whānau, family members and others close to you Standard is here.

Updated 8 May 2020

Please note this guide is a living document and will be updated as information from the Ministry of Health is released during the Alert Level changes. Please check both this document and the Ministry of Health website regularly for updates and changes.

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The Prime Minister has signaled that Level 2 may start as early as next Wednesday (13 May) and her Cabinet is meeting today to decide on what this will involve. With this change coming the issue of what Level 2 will look like is understandably top of mind for most primary care providers.  It is frustrating for us and the profession alike that there is currently only high-level guidance available. (more…)

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Note: “Urgent Care” definition updated by Ministry of Health as at 24 April 2020

This guide is provided for Physiotherapists working in a non-DHB environment. DHB’s will have their own set of guidelines and protocols that DHB physios will need to follow.

This is a living document and will be updated as information from the Ministry of Health is released during the Alert Level changes. Please check it regularly for updates and changes.

Under Alert Level 3 the Ministry of Health has stated, ‘In Alert Level 3 the following guidance remains: (more…)

This guide is provided for Physiotherapists working in a non-DHB environment. DHB’s will have their own set of guidelines and protocols that DHB physios will need to follow.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has categorised physiotherapy as an essential service under Alert Level 4 as it meets the following criteria: (more…)

Update and summary of guidance and information

As you, your friends, family, whānau and other colleagues are all coming to grips with life in Alert Level 4 there is an unwavering commitment to do our bit, stay in our bubble and find ways to look after ourselves and those around us. (more…)