CHEC Opening Times, Online CET, Household Isolation, Vacancy, Vaccinations And FODO News

4 November 2021

Hi all

We have 6 items for you today:

1. CHEC Patient Booking Centre Opening Times
   CHEC have issued a further update, as follows:

   CHEC phone lines will continue to be closed for upgrades and training until Wednesday 27th October.  We expect to be able to take incoming calls as normal between 10am-4pm on that date. The upgrade will allow: Effective call management going forward Shorter waiting times with 80% of calls answered in 60 seconds Improved patient experience Integration of the new self-booking app During this upgrade, patients will be able to contact us using the website online chat feature.  If you go to www.communityeyecare.uk you will see our chat “We Are Here” in the bottom right-hand corner (see below): Please direct patients to the live chat and FAQ’s during this period: https://www.communityeyecare.uk/im-a-patient/eye-conditions/ Kind Regards, Community Eyecare  Engagement

2. Online CET by Essilor
   As we approach the end of the CET cycle, we are advised that there are points available from Essilor’s online CET portal, HERE. You do need to register but don’t have to be an Essilor account holder. Although they are mainly spectacle lens based they are suitable for Optoms and DOs, with some marked as suitable for CLOs as stated on their site. We assume that there is one point for each session, as not all sessions state the number of points and only some are marked as interactive. We hope that this may help you reach any outstanding points or competency requirements. Because of the ongoing Covid situation, Herts LOC have decided not to run a face-to-face CET event before the end of the year.
3. Clarification on isolation rules for household contacts and senior decision maker for optical practices
   ABDO have issued the following guidance:
   
   Someone in my household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 following a PCR test. I have no symptoms. Can I continue to work in my optical practice?

   You need to self-isolate and arrange a PCR test in line with government guidance.

   If the result of your PCR test is negative and you continue to be asymptomatic, in general circumstances your senior manager will ask you to self-isolate. This is because the risk of COVID transmission may be higher for people within your home than a single episode of a COVID-19 close contact in another environment.

   You can return to work in exceptional circumstances (see note) based on a risk assessment and conversation with an appropriate senior manager within the optical practice.  A daily lateral flow test (LFT) should be undertaken for ten days, and you should continue to wear PPE and conduct IPC in the practice communal areas, as well as private staff areas. Staff in this situation should not see immunocompromised patients. 

   Note: ABDO recognises exceptional circumstances as applying if an optical practice cannot provide all its functions or would have to close completely impacting on the delivery of patient care.

   Read more: NHS England updated guidance on NHS staff and student self-isolation return to work following COVID contact.

   If ABDO members need further support in relation to decision making they can contact their local health protection team or email head of policy Debbie McGill, dmcgill@abdo.org.uk

4. Optometrist Vacancy
   There is a vacancy for an Optometrist to work regular Saturdays at Enhanced Optical Services, St Albans AL1 4SY.
   John Snelgrove, the owner, is about to launch his modular spectacles system which enables spectacles to be made on the spot. He would like the Optometrist to assist with the setting up of this. There may be further working days available as time progresses.

   For further details, please contact John directly on + 44 (0) 1727 81713204 + 44 (0) 7860 281127

5. HVCCG Update including boosters and vaccinations for 12- 15 year olds.
   Herts Valleys CCG have issued their latest newsletter HERE.  This includes the Hertfordshire Resilience Forum update, HERE, which contains information on half-term vaccination opportunities in our area for 12-15 year olds. There is also guidance on booking boosters, although their link takes you to the NHS online form for first and second jabs – the page for booking boosters can be found HERE.
6. FODO News
   Is HERE, including UKHSA Covid update – patient consultations in primary care, College updates – Covid guidance on self-isolation in England and College responds to consultation on making vaccination a condition of deployment.

Kind regards

Herts LOC