It’s almost a full month since the Amy Maclean Podiatry clinic in Westhill opened again after lockdown and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be able to see patients in real life again! Even if it is through a face shield.
Clinic life is a little different now days, both for my patients and for me – we have new safety measures in place, Covid screening procedures and I am taking a full day out of clinic each week. Unheard of for me before lockdown!
In this blog, I share with you some of the most common ailments and foot conditions I am seeing in clinic post-lockdown and what a typical day in the Westhill clinic looks like.
Common ailments and foot conditions in clinic.
Since opening the clinic again at the start of June, most patients have come in with similar concerns regarding foot pain. The main causes of foot pain have been ingrowing toe nails, very dry skin, heel pain and foot pain after starting a new lockdown exercise regime.
Most people have tried to self remedy their complaint, but this can often make things worse or certainly no better. Even though we were under lockdown conditions, I would always suggest that if you are struggling and need some help to please reach out by emailing me and I can offer advice, suggest a Telehealth video appointment or offer you a face-to-face appointment in the clinic. So step away from googling your symptoms for the best home treatment!
What does my day look like in clinic now?
As far as a “standard day” goes, things are quite different to pre-covid!
I get to the clinic early and change into my clinic uniform – which is scrubs and trainers. As I clean the clinic at the end of each day, I know that the clinic space is clean at the start of the day.
I look out patient masks and place them in individual boxes for those who need a mask from me and then put on my PPE before the first patient arrives.
This includes a mask which stays on for a full session ( which is the whole morning or an afternoon), a face visor, apron and gloves. After every patient, the clinic room gets cleaned and I change my apron and gloves and wipe down my visor ready for the next patient. It is important to note that with each patient, I take their temperature contactlessly, ask them to gel their hands whilst I ask them a COVID screening form before they are able to proceed into the clinical space.
Once I have seen the patient, we go back into reception where we book the next appointment and I get the door for the patient after they have gelled their hands before leaving.
I now only see about 7 patients a day, but this takes the whole day due to increased appointment length and allowing for cleaning/PPE change between patients. I must admit, I am really enjoying this new pace of working and I will keep as much of the slower pace as possible going forward!
Want to know what to expect when you attend an appointment in clinic now? Read the clinic update blog from last month here.
Life after a day in the clinic.
I have allocated myself one day a week of non-clinical time. I really needed this in the first few weeks as being back to work full time as well as wearing and working in full PPE was and (still is) tough.
This day is used to its fullest (in fact, this blog is being written on one of those days!). My non-clinical day is taken up with replying to patients on email and returning phone calls about foot concerns. I also run teleHealth appointments which are great for those who need advice and support but don’t need to see me face-to-face. This has been a fantastic way to keep in touch with those patients who are shielding or can’t visit the clinic due to medical/childcare reasons.
As my dad is shielding, I make a trip to check in with my parents and visit them in the garden as well as bring them any messages they may need; it’s great to see them in person as opposed to via Zoom or FaceTime! I make sure to squeeze every drop out of these non-clinical days as clinical days are very full on, it’s nice to take a step back and reassess procedures and protocols on a regular basis.
What’s next?
TeleHealth appointments will be around for a little while longer and clinic will continue to run in this way as lockdown restrictions lift through each phase. Currently, there is no definite return date for the Aberdeen Sports Village clinic, so if any patient needs a face-to-face appointment it will be in the Westhill clinic.
Any questions? You can contact me via email. #amymacpod.
