16 March 2022

Covid update - 11 March

College consults on IPC guidance as sector prepares to transition to green

The College expects UK health systems to transition from Covid-19 amber guidance to green in the coming months. This will mean that practitioners and practices will return to following the College of Optometrists' Guidance for Professional Practice (GfPP) only. To prepare for this, the College proposes 13 key changes to help minimise the risk of virus transmission and ensure its guidance still is aligned with official public health advice. Read more.

The consultation closes on 18 March. You can respond directly at the bottom of this page, or if you are a FODO member, you can send your feedback to [email protected], and we will share your feedback in our response.

 
Covid update - Wales
 
The Welsh Government (WG) has confirmed that if Covid data show a stable public health situation, it will remove all remaining restrictions on 28 March.

In 'Together for a safer future', WG sets out its long-term Covid-19 plan to transition from pandemic to endemic, with the plan for healthcare settings on page 20. It confirms plans to continue with IPC measures and that "guidance on managing the risk around healthcare settings will continue to be different from that relating to public settings". This is consistent with the rest of the UK.


Optometry Scotland update on ventilation grant
 
OS has said that following further queries about the ventilation grant, the Scottish Government's FAQs 9 to 13 have been updated.


Optical sector supports vaccination effort
 
This week, the UK optical sector published a joint letter, encouraging everybody in a patient-facing role to have all their Covid-19 vaccinations. The letter also supports people who are still unsure about getting vaccinated by sharing links to College advice and offering additional support.