Marie AyresMcTimoney Chiropractic and Somatic Movement Classes for Pain Relief
in North London

COVID-19 Information

You will be required to consent to the the following before attending your appointment at the clinic. Please take a moment to read thoroughly. If there is anything you don't understand, or you have any questions, please contact me.

The Government published a Statutory Instrument on 26th March 2020, No. 350 ‘The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020’ confirming that it is lawful for a chiropractic practice to remain open. It further defines those people who are recognised as vulnerable. I am currently unable to accept patients in the "High Risk Group", as defined by the NHS. Please see below for more information about risk groups.

A further Statutory Instrument was published on 20th December 2020, No. 1611, "The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers and Obligations of Undertakings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020" with the following relevant statements regarding Tier 4:

Part 1 Schedule 3A Exception 4: people may leave their homes to seek medical assistance, including to take any medical tests, be vaccinated or access any of the services referred to in paragraph 17(o) of the Schedule.

Part 3, Schedule 17 (o): dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health [are permitted to remain open].

A thorough risk assessment has been conducted to ensure adequate levels of safety at each practice location are implemented and maintained. I am following the most up-to-date Government and Public Health England/Wales guidance and put in place stringent patient triage, hygiene, sanitation and infection control protocols to protect patients, practitioners and other visitors to the practice locations. Despite these precautions, there is a risk of transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and it is important that you understand the risk. The following information is provided to help you decide if you wish to continue with your care and remind you that you are under no obligation to do so.

Please consider booking an online appointment as an initial option. If you can learn to self-manage using some gentle pain-relief exercises from the comfort of your own home, it will be much safer than coming to the clinic. Then, if you are still struggling and feel you need hands-on treatment, we can discuss arranging an appointment in clinic. STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES, PROTECT THE NHS!

Please also be aware, your contact details may be shared with NHS Test and Trace should I be identified as a contact of a positive COVID-19 case.

Precautions that are in place

Currently, I only see a small number of patients each day. Equipment and common touch points are fully disinfected between each appointment.

In accordance with public health guidelines, I will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your protection, as well as my own. Current advice states that when in direct contact with a patient, the practitioner must wear a IIR type mask, as well as single use gloves and a single use plastic apron.

A 2-metre distance will be enforced between patients and other staff on the premises.

Even though I am committed to ensuring that every measure is in place to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19, I cannot guarantee there is no risk to you as a result of attending the clinic.

COVID-19 Triage Process

All visitors the clinic must be triaged before they arrive to establish if they have travelled outside of the UK, whether COVID-19 symptoms are present, or they have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms.

A second triage is conducted at the clinic, including a temperature check.

Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms is not permitted to enter the clinic premises.


I have made some changes to how I work with patients. and I appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping the whole community safe and well.

Please cancel or reschedule your appointment if you feel unwell or have been in contact with someone who is unwell. I will call or text you the day before to check on your well being. This triage process is now standard practice for all visitors to the clinic.

Only one person can come into the treatment room at a time.  Please minimise any items you bring into the clinic, such as laptops and luggage, so I can keep the environment as clean as possible.

On arrival I will ask you to wear a mask or face covering. Don't worry if you forget to bring yours, or don't have one - I can give you one.

I am required to wear a mask, apron and gloves (I use vinyl examination gloves). Wearing gloves may hamper the delivery of certain parts of the treatment. Please wear loose comfortable clothing to your appointment.  You may be asked to remove your top or t-shirt so that I can more easily adjust your spine, but you are not obliged to do so.

Towels and bench covers have been removed to allow the bench to be disinfected between patients.  For your own comfort you are welcome to bring your own clean blanket or clean towel. Refreshments are no longer provided, so please bring a bottle of water if you wish.

Unless you are paying with cash at the time of your appointment, fees are due in advance by bank transfer (preferred) or by credit/debit card. Details are provided on the invoice you will receive before your appointment is due.

Should you develop symptoms of COVID-19 within 7 days of visiting the clinic, it is vital you contact me immediately so that I can safeguard clinic staff, clinicians and the public.

Eligibility for Care

I am currently unable to offer face-to-face appointments to the following people:

You are self isolating - until your isolation period is over and you have no symptoms

You have COVID-19 symptoms (whether diagnosed by test or not)

You are living with someone with COVID-19 symptoms (whether diagnosed by test or not)

You have been in contact with anyone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days by the Contact Tracing Service.

I am currently unable to accept patients from the vulnerable “High Risk” groups defined by the NHS below.

Solid organ transplant recipients

People with specific cancers

- who are undergoing active chemotherapy

- with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy

- with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment

- receiving immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer

- receiving other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors

- who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs

People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell).

People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.

Women who are pregnant and have significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.


If you are in the “Moderate Risk” group as defined by the NHS below, I may be able to offer you a face to face appointment if it is deemed safe to do so.

- Pregnant

- Over 70

- Have a long-term health condition/ Underlying Medical Conditions as listed below:

Chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or bronchitis.

Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure.

Chronic kidney disease.

Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis.

Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, a learning disability or cerebral palsy.

Diabetes.

Problems with the spleen, such as sickle cell disease or removal of the spleen.

A weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy.

Overweight, with a body mass index of 40 or above.


You will be required to confirm you understand the above information and consent before attending your appointment at the clinic.