a new chapter
In 1985 The West of England MS Therapy Centre began providing help and support from a trading estate in Nailsea. In the beginning we could only provide oxygen therapy and this new chapter, in our 35th anniversary year, was a similarly stripped down affair. We ae proud to say, due to the hard work of the team and volunteers, the Centre is now open again and offering our full complement of therapies.
From Thursday 3rd December The Brightwell will be in a Tier 3 zone, this will not affect the operation of the Centre and we will remain open for members.
We advise all our members to read the recent guidance available on the government website HERE. Within this guidance people living with chronic neurological conditions, such as MS, (section 9) are now classed as clinically vulnerable. The guidance further states that there is no requirement for this group to 'shield' and the recommendations are that you continue to socially distance, wear a mask, wash your hands regularly and sanitise frequently touched areas of your home or work place.To provide further reassurance we have reviewed our operating procedures and these available for you to read below.
If you have any concerns or questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
We are continuing to offer virtual exercise classes via Zoom and we are planning to increase the frequency of these as they are proving to be quite popular.
If you wish to attend physiotherapy you must fill in a consent form and read the risks of transmission document, both of these can be found on our physio page, we will be unable to offer you any type of physiotherapy appointment until this is completed.
Attending the Centre does now come with some extra precautions for your safety and ours. Before you visit, please take a moment to read through the information in the sections below. When you are at the Centre you must wear a fitted face mask at all times, if you do not have one we have single use face masks available at reception for £1 each.
Remember if you have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of Covid or you are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with Covid you must not visit the Centre. You must self-isolate and follow the recent guidelines outlined by Public Health England. It is also important that you do not visit us whilst you are awaiting a Covid test or the results, if you receive a positive test please follow the advice from PHE
We are also pleased to announce that we're ready for new members to join the Centre, through either the charity or trading side of The Brightwell; more information on how this will look is on the Join page of the site.
We're all happy to be back and look forward to seeing you soon,
with best wishes from
Doro, all the team and trustees
The information on this page was updated on 26 November 2020
Arriving at the Centre
When you arrive please park in one of the designated parking bays.
You then need to carry out the five steps below before you enter the building, this procedure will be applicable every time you visit and for every visitor.
CALL
Phone reception on 01454 201 686 from inside your car, if you don't have a mobile toot your car horn.
ANSWER
You'll be asked some quick questions by one of the team to determine if it's safe for you to enter.
WAIT
When you speak to the team they'll give you a time to enter the building. Wait in your car until your allotted time.
MASK
As you leave your car put on your mask, this can be your oxygen mask or a fitted face mask.
SANITISE
Upon entering use the sanitising station opposite reception. Inside remember to maintain a 2 metre distance from other people.
TRANSPORT
If you are arriving by foot, on bicycle or using your mobility scooter we will have a designated waiting area for you.
You will still need to call reception when you are outside the building.
Unfortunately, for the moment, there are no waiting facilities for members, their carers or family.
Our operating procedures
We have carried out a full assessment of our operating procedures and they are updated to include the additional risks of COVID-19. To read these changes please click on the yellow Centre button.
Reception risk assessment
We have also carried out a full risk assessment of the potential hazard involved in reception. You are welcome to read these by clicking the green reception button.
Facilities at the Centre
TOILETS
They will be allocated by therapy ie. those attending oxygen will use the toilet nearest oxygen, physio will use the toilet in physio etc...
REFRESHMENTS
There will be no facilities available for you to make hot drinks and the 'sandwich van' is no longer visiting.
SANITISING STATIONS
Antibacterial hand gel and hand wash are available for your use throughout the Centre.
SOCIALISING INSIDE
To minimise social contact there will be no seating available for socialising.
WIFI
Is available for free throughout the Centre and oxygen chamber.
PROTECTIVE MASKS
Although we do provide oxygen masks for people attending oxygen those with physio appointments should wear their own fitted face mask, if you do not have a mask you can buy a single use one at reception for £1.
Everyone who enters the building must wear some type of fitted face mask.
Covid-19 Outbreak Management Procedure
In the event a member, a volunteer or one of the staff receive a positive result for Covid-19, we will apply our COMP. To read this procedure please click on the blue COMP button.
