Omicron Booster jabs- NHSE Update
5 January 2022
Planning across the South West indicates the surge in Omicron cases is likely to impact on the South West from mid-January onwards. This will significantly increase staff absence (sickness / self-isolating as a contact). Please ensure your Business Continuity Plans have been reviewed and you have measures in place for available staff to access key IT systems and are familiar with actions they need to take, to support patients in the short-term and report where services are reduced.
When you discuss this with your team (and family and friends), please let them know that appointments are still available for people to receive their 1st, 2nd or Booster dose. Appointments can be booked online or they can find out where walk-in sessions are being held using the ‘Grab-A-Jab’ website. Across the South West we have 110+ Community Pharmacy Vaccination sites, offering vaccination in their local communities, alongside the PCNs and larger Vaccination Centres in each system. We know that attending a community pharmacy to be vaccinated has been a popular option for those that are less able to travel or already have a relationship with their local pharmacy, which may help encourage members of your team (or their family/friends) to come forward to be fully vaccinated.
At the end of December, across the South West, we reached 81% of eligible people receiving their Booster. Whilst this is one of the highest uptakes in the country, there are still 300k people that could come forward for their Booster. In December all our vaccination sites were really pleased to see a significant increase in people coming forward for their 1st and 2nd dose (up to 10% of total activity): the teams know how important it is for people to be vaccinated and welcome everyone, regardless of the dose they are attending for!
Kind Regards
South West Optical Team
Email: england.optometrysouthwest@nhs.net
NHS England Webpage: www.england.nhs.net
Devon LOC Latest News
Optometrist vacancy
Optometrist Vacancy We have an opportunity within a set of three practices in the lovely South Hams area of Devon, for a full time/ part time/ locum Optometrist. We are a small, fully independent partnership business where we blend traditional Optometry and Dispensing with modern practice. The working environment is well supported with qualified Dispensing …
Continue reading “Optometrist vacancy”
8 November 2022
Locum Cover – Torquay
Locum Cover required We are particularly busy and really could do with at least a day a weeks cover. We offer 45 minute testing OCT, Wide angle imaging and friendly working environment. Please contact Lynda Hayes (MC Optom) details below. Hayes Opticians Website: www.hayes-opticians-torquay.co.uk Contact No: 01803 291605 9a Ilsham Rd, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JG
8 November 2022
Optometry Wales – Clinical Adviser
Optometry Wales Job Title: Clinical Adviser Current Post holder: Optometry Wales Reporting to: Chief Executive, Optometry Wales and Board Responsible for: Providing clinical support with specific relation to the contractual changes for eye care in Wales Work Location: Predominately Home Based (potential for need to travel to in person meetings where necessary) Salary banding: equivalent …
Continue reading “Optometry Wales – Clinical Adviser”
8 November 2022
Cataract Post-op Care 3-point interactive CPD event (Nov)
Newmedica Exeter Cataract post-op Care 29th November 22 invite (1)
8 November 2022
CPD event for DOs (Nov and Dec)
Calling all Dispensing Opticians NHSBSA are running a CPD event for DOs. This interactive CPD qualifies within the GOC Leadership and Accountability domain and will give some guidance on how early recall codes should be applied on GOS sight tests in England. Below are details of the free CPD C-103956 from the NHSBSA. Non-Dispensing Opticians are …
Continue reading “CPD event for DOs (Nov and Dec)”
8 November 2022
COVID update
Members will be aware that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) withdrew its infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance on 24 May. You should now follow local public health and the College of Optometrists’ guidance. England The UKHSA signposts readers to NHS England’s National IPC guidance. This means that: Universal masking can stop. The College …
Continue reading “COVID update”
16 June 2022
Glaucoma awareness week 2022
Glaucoma awareness week is from 27th June – 3rd July 2022 Glaucoma UK are running a variety of activities and events over the week The link to the campaign and marketing materials is here https://glaucoma.uk/glaucoma-awareness-week/. Glaucoma UK will also be running one of their digital glaucoma support groups in that week, specifically looking at living …
Continue reading “Glaucoma awareness week 2022”
16 June 2022
Covid Guidance Update 23rd December 2021
To: • ICS and STP leads • CCG accountable officers • NHS trusts and foundation trusts: ‒ chief executives ‒ medical directors ‒ chief nursing officers ‒ chief people officers/HR directors • All PCNs and GP practices • All community pharmacies • All NHS primary care dental contract holders • All primary care optometrists and …
Continue reading “Covid Guidance Update 23rd December 2021”
30 December 2021
Optometry 1st proposals to go to Devon ICS.
Devon LOC are in the process of submitting proposals to the Integrated Care System (ICS) for pathways of community eyecare under the new Optometry First pathway. The Optometry First Services are designed to provide safe, integrated, and sustainable system-wide clinical care pathways to support COVID-19 recovery and restoration and the prevention of avoidable visual impairment …
Continue reading “Optometry 1st proposals to go to Devon ICS.”
29 December 2021
Special Schools Project Update.
NHSE has advised that recruitment for more Eyecare Teams (Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) to work with local Special Schools will start again early 2022. In the South West we are still waiting to hear of launch dates for the service but will publicise in eUpdate and on the website as soon as we have more …
Continue reading “Special Schools Project Update.”
29 December 2021