The Orthopaedic Therapy Clinic fully supports the OPA that Physiotherapy is an essential service
The Ontario Physiotherapy Association (OPA) has recently written a letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Chief Medical Officer of Health David Williams urging them to deem physiotherapy services essential as we move through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have asked that these essential services include in-person and virtual appointments for acute and chronic injuries and illnesses.
The OPA explains that the June 2020 re-opening of physiotherapy services allowed physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants to provide safe services and to date they have not contributed to community spread of infection.
The OPA also explains that the absence of physiotherapy services from March-May 2020 led to an increase in the deterioration of physical conditions among Ontarians. This has been widespread and has affected many people from those undergoing elective joint replacement procedures to residents in long-term care facilities.
The OPA believes physiotherapy services remain essential for those suffering from acute and chronic conditions and for patients who have recently been hospitalized or undergone elective procedure, for patients who have sustained a workplace injury and for patients who have sustained a motor vehicle accident.
At the Orthopaedic Therapy Clinic, we fully support the OPA’s stance. Since re-opening in June 2020, we have been able to provide high quality care while significantly reducing risk of transmission through our infection control procedures. During this second wave of COVID-19, we will continue to adhere to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 guidelines to keep our patients, ourselves and the community safe.
