NSDP Prepares to Re-open Slowly

As we prepare to move into phase 2, we are building a multi-level return-to-work safety plan.  While our office is still closed to the public, we are taking many precautions and preparing to open our doors in the coming weeks.  Please stay tuned as we will be keeping you informed with our safety plan.  Below is our informed consent that we will be providing to our clients to demonstrate our commitment to safety protocols outlined by WorksafeBC:

INFORMED CONSENT FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Northern Society for Domestic Peace (NSDP) is committed to providing as safe an environment as possible for both clients and staff as we return to in-person counselling, as per WorkSafe BC directives.  It is important that clients give their informed consent for meeting face-to-face with their counsellors, given that attending in-person counselling increases the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for both clients and staff.  Clients and their counsellors should discuss whether it is best to meet in-person or via telephone/video-conferencing, based on the client’s health concerns and/or clinical appropriateness.  Clients should be aware that, at times, telephone/video-conferencing sessions may present safety concerns and in such cases, only in-person appointments will be offered.

Our commitment to clients:

1. No staff member of NSDP shall come in to the office if they are feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of illness.  If exposure to COVID-19 should occur at any time, NSDP will follow contact tracing guidelines.
Individual offices will be sanitized between clients.  The general office area will also be sanitized throughout the day and will be disinfected at the end of each day to reduce the chance of virus transmission from surfaces.
2. Every effort will be made to reduce the number of people in the waiting area and appropriate physical distancing will be maintained wherever possible.
3. NSDP staff will practice all hygiene directives such as frequent hand-washing/sanitizing and avoiding touching their faces.
4. Hand sanitizer will be made available throughout the office for client use.
5. The chance of airborne virus transmission will be reduced in the office through ultra-violet lights installed in the ventilation system.

Client commitment:

1. Clients will only keep their in-person appointments if they feel well and are entirely free of any COVID-19 related symptoms.  Otherwise, the session can be done via telephone or rescheduled for another time.
2. Clients will maintain appropriate hygiene practices, using hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the office and avoiding touching their faces.  In addition, they will make every effort to maintain appropriate physical distancing while in the office.
3. Clients will come to their appointments alone, and will refrain from bringing anyone into the office (children, companions, etc) who is not attending the session.  If a parent/caregiver is waiting for their child who is in session, they must wait outside or in their vehicle and will be informed when their child’s session is over.
4. Clients will immediately inform NSDP should they or anyone in their household test positive for COVID-19.