COVID-19: update from our CEO

Dear Faculty, Fellows, Members and SCCO students,

It is now July, and the situation regarding COVID-19 is slowly but steadily improving, and things are returning to normal, albeit a new normal that we are all having to adapt to. Here at the SCCO we are pleased to be finally able to look forward, having worked with many of you over the last few months on cancellations, it is lovely to be working on planning new courses and processing bookings again.

Hopefully you have continued to enjoy interaction with others via our Facebook group, and the Osteopathic Chain Reaction videos that are being posted on the website each week. New links in the chain are being added, so there are more to look forward to. Students are continuing to partake in online Q&A sessions, the latest being a group of Embryology course students, and Members should be receiving a bumper edition of the SCCO magazine this month.

The office team continue to work remotely in line with UK Government recommendations, and other than still not being able to speak to you or take bookings by card over the phone, we have continued pretty much as normal. We hope to start a gradual move back into the office from the end of August, but until then we will continue to meet weekly by Zoom to catch up on work issues and to share the ups and downs of homeworking, which have included new puppies, kittens, fitness activities, gardening updates and the joys of home schooling!

The one word that best sums up our planning for Autumn 2020 is ‘flexible’. The Lymphatics course has had to be postponed as Hugh Ettlinger continues his valuable work with Covid patients in New York. In its place we will be running a weekend focusing on Osteopathy and the Post Viral Patient. Places are limited and fees have been kept as low as possible so, if you meet the entry criteria and would like to come along and meet up with your SCCO colleagues again, please book soon.

The regulations surrounding COVID-19 are changing weekly in different countries, but we are keeping informed, and making the necessary adjustments to running courses that are needed to keep everyone safe. Things will need to be a little bit different, with the introduction of pre-course health declarations, social distancing other than during practicals, when PPE will be worn, close attention to hand washing and equipment cleansing. In order to minimise any risk of infection for the time being we will be asking students to work in ‘bubbles’ with one tutor and three other students throughout a course. Students booked on to courses will receive an email with full details soon. We hope that these steps will still give you an enjoyable and valuable learning experience, and trust that you understand the need for these changes.

Last, but by no means least, the Educational Review Team are continuing their work, focusing on exploring new ways in which SCCO learning can remain accessible and affordable in the future. A short confidential, online survey is currently being completed, and, if you haven’t already done so, I would be grateful if you could take the time to complete this if you are able. Your views, ideas and thoughts are fundamental to ensuring we get this right and grow to meet the needs of students and Faculty in the future.

Best regards

Jill
CEO