FODO Covid-19 Guidance and Support

Please note this paged is archived and will not be kept up to date. It is provided for reference only should members need to look back at guidance issued during the pandemic.

We are here to help you throughout the pandemic. In this section:

• Covid-19 framework for primary eye care providers (V3.1) (archived)
• Flow diagram – four stages to safer care (archived)
• Staff – screening flow diagram/questions (archived)
• Patients – screening questions
• Standard precautions at a glance – training and compliance (archived)
• Standard precautions poster
• Clinical prioritisation at a glance – RAG model
• Cleaning and disinfecting at a glance
• PPE at a glance (archived)
• Risk assessment template
• Additional considerations for face-to-face care (archived)

Members have asked us to pool free resources from trusted sources so they can quickly find what they need. Access posters, videos and training material from trusted resources based on where you are based here.

What’s next?

FODO members decide what resources we add next by emailing [email protected] with suggestions.

The Optical Confederation Domiciliary Eyecare Committee (DEC) has published updated guidance:

• Guidance – Meeting the eye health needs of people who cannot leave home during the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic and winter flu
• DEC statement – Optical sector issues updated covid guidance for domiciliary providers
• Key messages about lateral flow testing for care homes

You can also access the previous version of this guidance via the update log below.

FODO, the College of Optometrists, AOP and ABDO have published a workforce risk assessment for primary eye care. This will help members perform a more detailed workforce risk assessment and includes templates that members can ask all staff to complete. Read the workforce risk assessment.

As a member, you also can sign up to the Coronavirus Advice Hub for sample letters, policies, risk assessments, FAQs and additional guidance documents.

Whether you are an individual practitioner, manager, or provider organisation, we know this is an incredibly difficult time for you. That is why a senior member of the FODO team will be on hand to help members seven days a week during this phase of the pandemic. Please contact us by email at [email protected] or 020 7298 5151.

Originally published: May 2020.

Update log: Archived

Version 1 of the framework was published 17 May 2020. On 18 May the official case definition of Covid-19 in the UK was updated by all UK CMOs and members updated via a member alert on the same day. Annex 1 of version 1 was updated to include a new question about anosmia and explaining how to get tested for coronavirus. Version 1.1. was published on 21 May.

Version 2 was published 31 May 2020. The update included new hyperlinks and separating out Annexes into separate documents for ease of use. Additional information was added on ventilation in the main framework document. A flow diagram was added to the staff self-assessment process and the standard precautions section updated to include seven steps to compliance, a training log and poster. The risk assessment example now includes a blank template and an updated completed example.

Version 3 was published 18 June 2020. This included minor updates to reflect new SOPs from the NHS in England and Scotland, Welsh Government Amber Guidance, HSC Board operating guidance and ABDO guidance on dispensing and contact lens practice.

Version 3.1 was published 5 October 2020. This includes minor updates to reflect updated guidance from the College of Optometrists and to include FODO’s workforce risk assessment.

The Domiciliary Eyecare Committee (DEC) guidance was updated in July, August 2021 and September.

View DEC guidance and statement published in July 2021, and DEC guidance published August 2021.

Previous DEC guidance published in June 2020 together with relevant statements can be viewed by clicking the relevant link. 1. DEC statement – meeting the eye health needs of vulnerable individuals during the next stages of the pandemic. 2. Guidance< – meeting the eye health needs of shielding, isolating and domiciliary patients during the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. 3. DEC statement – Working safely during COVID-19 in other people’s homes – Implications for domiciliary eye care providers.

The page updated on 28 September 2021 to reflect that all members are now routinely using enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) to reduce the risk of Covid transmission. We archived our existing guidance as vaccination rates have increased and all UK governments have started to change guidance on conditions under which people have to self-isolate and use face coverings. We instead encourage all members to stay up to date by visiting our Covid news section and through our weekly newsletter.