COVID-19 FAQs - Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand
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COVID-19 FAQs
Information for Physiotherapists
With the COVID-19 situation changing rapidly, Physiotherapy New Zealand and the Physiotherapy
Board are continuing to monitor updates to provide physiotherapists with the latest information as it
becomes available.
We urge you to be vigilant for signs of the virus and be aware of Government information sources.
The PNZ website has links to shared resources, including the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). While this website is being updated regularly, please
be aware that the latest information is on the Government pages. Likewise, the Physiotherapy Board
is updating its website and it’s Facebook group as new information is made available.
There are, of course, some physiotherapy specific questions. We will continue to add to these where
it is helpful to provide more specific advice not covered elsewhere. Because the answers are date
specific we have dated the answers and will update as the situation changes.
Tables
Table Title
Question Answer
ACC have agreed to fund physiotherapists to
provide telehealth for initial contact and follow
Will telehealth be funded if we can’t see patients?
up.
The ACC COVID-19 information for providers
is here
12 August
The government has updated its guidance
regarding wearing masks – particularly at Alert
Level 2 and above. At this stage the
government is recommending, but not
requiring, masks where physical distancing is
not possible. Physiotherapy treatment will fit
What is the advice about masks now – it has that category therefore recommending
changed since the earlier Alert Levels? wearing a mask is recommended.
This may change.
The Ministry of Health advice around masks is
here
At Alert Levels 3 & 4 where urgent treatment
is given PPE including masks is required
12 August
Yes. The government advice for people at
Alert Level 2 is “wear a mask in situations
where physical distancing is not possible”.
Can physiotherapists require a patient to wear a Physiotherapy treatment will fit that category
mask as a condition of providing treatment to the
patient?
therefore recommending wearing a mask is
recommended.
Treatment at Alert Level 3 is only for urgent
care and PPE including masks is required.
13 August
Yes. Under the Physiotherapy Code of Ethics
4.5 a Physiotherapist can refuse to treat a
If the patient refuses to wear a mask, can the patient if they have good reasons. The patient
therapist refuse to provide treatment?
should be informed of the reasons; offered
alternative options of care, such as telehealth
or can be referred to another healthcare
provider
CoVID19 PNZ and Phsysio Board FAQs| March 2020| Page 1Question Answer
13 August
The Ministry of Health advice on cleaning
following a probable COVID case is here.
What cleaning process should I be using in my Any hospital grade detergent/disinfectant is
clinics? suitable. MoH recommend a 2in1 (cleaning
and disinfectant) to increase efficiency
12 August
Your usual supplier should be able to provide
PPE including hand sanitiser and masks.
The Ministry of Health have requested you
only contact them if you cannot access your
own supply.
Note: surgical masks are recommended for
Where can I get PPE, including masks?
most physiotherapy treatment. Aerosol
generating procedures may require a fitted
N95 mask. Such procedures should only be
done in the DHB setting for if COVID-19
infection is suspected.
13 August
For Alert Level 2 the advice around group
sessions (presuming these are fewer than 100
people) is they can continue with physical
distancing measures in place– but of course
that does depend on the group.
Your consideration for a group session for
Should I be cancelling group exercise classes?
mostly vulnerable population would be
different to a Pilates reformer class in the
community.
At Alert Level 3 group treatment and exercise
classes are cancelled.
12 August
Contact the Ministry of Health’s, Healthline on
0800 358 5453 as soon as possible to
determine:
• contact tracing requirements
• who needs to be tested
• their advice around the
clinic/organisation remaining open
Risk assess to determine if it is safe to remain
What happens if a Physio or one of my staff is open or if the clinic/organisation needs to be
thought to have COVID? closed if awaiting guidance and instruction
from the Ministry of Health
Deep cleaning of the clinic in line with
guidance from the Ministry of Health Cleaning
following a confirmed or probable case of
COVID-19
Contact the Physiotherapy Board for any
further guidance
12 August
The Ministry of Health do not require this
provided you have the QR Code for NZ
Do I have to register all kanohi-ki-te-kanohi visits COVID Tracer app in place and are recording
with the Physiotherapy Board? patient details. This allows track and trace
information to be collected
13 August
CoVID19 PNZ and Phsysio Board FAQs| March 2020| Page 2Question Answer
From midday on Wednesday 19 August all
businesses must display a QR Code for the
Do I need a QR code for the NZ COVID Tracer
App?
NZ COVID Tracer App. You can download
the posters from here
12 August
The requirement is for each business to
display a QR Code. If your business is
separate to the medical centre then you
should have your own code.
If your business is part of the medical centre
My practice is inside a medical centre – if they have
a QR Code do I need one also?
you may still chose to have a QR Code poster
– this will help your staff and patients register
their visits to you.
If you are a mobile or community
physiotherapist you must have a QR code.
13 August
You cannot make a patient have the app or
use it however it is advisable to inform your
patients at the time of booking their
appointment that you use QR codes for
What if my patient does not have the Contact
tracing app or does not wish to use it?
contact tracing and request they download
and use the app.
If they refuse – this is a risk assessment you
make plus if you see the patient that visit must
be recorded. 14 August
The PNZ insurance programmes through
BMS are designed to protect members
against professional indemnity and/or public
liability.
Members who have a personal accident or
illness policy to protect their own incomes
Does the PNZ insurance cover business
whilst unable to work should check to see
continuity?
what cover this would provide.
Members should also refer to their clinic
insurance for any potential business continuity
cover that may apply due to closure or loss of
income.
30 March
The Ministry of Health set up a register of
health professionals available to support the
Covid 19 response – the Surge Workforce.
This is currently under review.
What can physiotherapists do to support the
Physios who had registered for this can
Public Health CoVID19 response?
expect to be contacted and have their details
and availability confirmed.
12 August
The DHBs are each expected to have blanket
If I take on work from the Ministry Surge insurance that covers clinical practice of the
Workforce register will this be covered by my whole clinical workforce, so seconded staff
BMS insurance policy through PNZ? would be covered by that.
30 March
The public health imperative to reduce person
to person contact to an absolute minimum in
Why isn’t physiotherapy able to provide
Alert Levels 3 and 4 override any
kanohi-ki- te-kanohi (person to person) care
considerations about the important place of
like GPs?
physiotherapy in the primary health system
and post op rehab.
CoVID19 PNZ and Phsysio Board FAQs| March 2020| Page 3Question Answer
The New Zealand health system is not well
placed to manage the levels of outbreaks
seen in other jurisdictions.
The important role of physiotherapy is
recognised in the Ministry and we have the
Chief Allied Health Professions Officer at the
top table in the Ministry.
12 August
CoVID19 PNZ and Phsysio Board FAQs| March 2020| Page 4Services can be provided to essential workers
under Alert Levels 3 &4 through telehealth,
unless it meets the criteria for urgent care.
The guidance provided by the Physiotherapy
I provide services to essential workers – does
Board for Alert Level 3 should be used to
that mean I am an essential service too?
determine whether kanohi-te-kanohi service
can be delivered. The best email is
physio@physiotherapyboard.org.nz
13 August
CoVID19 PNZ and Phsysio Board FAQs| March 2020| Page 5You can also read
