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FHT MEMBER SUPPO RT DURING THE PANDEMIC

Karen Young,FHT’s Editor and Communications Manager, shares how the organisation is supporting their members during this difficult time…

IT’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 unprecedented situation. Strict social distancing measures have been essential in order to safeguard clients and the wider public from the devastating effects of Covid-19.

Not surprisingly, placing face-to-face treatments on hold during the lockdown has taken a financial toll on many therapists, especially new start-ups and the self-employed. Our understanding of the virus is ever-evolving, as are are the numerous guidelines produced by the UK government. Globally, each country is working to different ‘road maps’ and timelines 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 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.

PREPARING TO RETURN TO WORK GUIDELINES

Again, the FHT was one of the first professional associations to offer advice to therapists about how to prepare to return to work safely. Like our coronavirus statement, the guidelines are available online, so that these can be updated as and when new information comes to light. Areas covered include carrying out a fresh risk assessment, enhanced health and hygiene measures, pre-treatment checks and Covid19-specific questions to ask clients. We are producing posters, email templates, social media banners and other collateral for when it’s safe to return to full practice.

CPD VIDEO SERIES

Not long after entering lockdown, a number of members expressed concern about not being able to complete their annual continuing professional development (CPD) – not least because major training events, including FHT’s 2020 Training Congress and Annual Conference, had to be cancelled. We quickly set to work and now have more than 20 free CPD videos for therapists to choose from, all kindly supplied by FHT speakers and accredited course providers.

LOBBYING THE GOVERNMENT

It’s important during times like this to have a collective voice and work alongside other professional associations who share the same goals and objectives. As a core member of the Integrative Healthcare Collaborative (www. theihc.org.uk), we have supported two letters to the government and a petition, to represent the financial and professional interests of our members throughout Covid-19. n

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The FHT offers a range of membership benefits to holistic therapists and runs the largest independently Accredited Register for complementary healthcare therapists. For more information and to access the resources outlined above, visit www.fht.org.uk.

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