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FHT
FHT MEMBER SUPPORT DURING THE PANDEMIC Karen Young, FHT’s Editor and Communications Manager, shares how the organisation is supporting their members during this difficult time…
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T’S incredibly sad that at a time when positive touch has never been more needed by those in our local community, therapists have found themselves in an
PREPARING TO RETURN TO WORK GUIDELINES Again, the FHT was one of the first professional
more than 20 free CPD videos for therapists to choose from, all kindly supplied by FHT speakers and accredited course providers.
LOBBYING THE GOVERNMENT
unprecedented situation. Strict social distancing
associations to offer advice to therapists about
measures have been essential in order to
how to prepare to return to work safely. Like
It’s important during times like this to have
safeguard clients and the wider public from the
our coronavirus statement, the guidelines are
a collective voice and work alongside other
devastating effects of Covid-19.
available online, so that these can be updated
professional associations who share the same
as and when new information comes to light.
goals and objectives. As a core member of the
treatments on hold during the lockdown has
Areas covered include carrying out a fresh risk
Integrative Healthcare Collaborative (www.
taken a financial toll on many therapists,
assessment, enhanced health and hygiene
theihc.org.uk), we have supported two letters
especially new start-ups and the self-employed.
measures, pre-treatment checks and Covid-
to the government and a petition, to represent
Our understanding of the virus is ever-evolving,
19-specific questions to ask clients. We are
the financial and professional interests of our
as are are the numerous guidelines produced
producing posters, email templates, social media
members throughout Covid-19. n
by the UK government. Globally, each country
banners and other collateral for when it’s safe to
is working to different ‘road maps’ and timelines
return to full practice.
Not surprisingly, placing face-to-face
as we are eased out of lockdown. It has been a stressful and confusing time for most and the FHT has been working to support members across the UK.
FHT’S CORONAVIRUS STATEMENT Since 18 March, our coronavirus statement has provided FHT members and other therapists with advice that is in line with the latest government
CPD VIDEO SERIES Not long after entering lockdown, a number of members expressed concern about not being able
i
The FHT offers a range of membership benefits to holistic
therapists and runs the largest independently
to complete their annual continuing professional
Accredited Register for complementary
development (CPD) – not least because major
healthcare therapists. For more information
training events, including FHT’s 2020 Training
and to access the resources outlined above,
Congress and Annual Conference, had to be cancelled. We quickly set to work and now have
visit
www.fht.org.uk.
guidelines, and will continue to do so until Covid-19 is no longer a threat to health. It has been updated more than 20 times as the situation has evolved and new information has come to light.
WORKING FROM HOME REMOTELY Two days after the Prime Minster announced that everyone must stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives, we published guidance on how therapists could help to support their clients remotely. In the days and weeks to follow, we also shared a wide range of self-help articles and short videos on our blog, for our members and other therapists to share with their clients and online.
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holistic therapist 2020
holistictherapistmagazine.com