Staff Isolation, CHEC Hours, Vacancy And Merry Christmas!

3 January 2022

We have 5 items for you today:

1. Guidance on staff isolation
   Following the recent changes to isolation, ABDO advise that updated UKHSA guidance on NHS staff, student and volunteer self-isolation and return to work, can be found HERE. They say: “The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed this guidance also applies to healthcare workers, although when going back into a work setting, healthcare workers are asked to continue testing on days 8, 9 and 10 (see section 2.2 of updated UKHSA guidance issued today).” 

2. Referrals over Christmas and New Year
   For all referrals, phone first to ensure the department is open and remember to use local A & E if no other option – always write a referral letter, give a copy of the letter to the patient to take with them and note down name of clinician you spoke to and the time of the call.
3. CHEC opening over the holiday period
   
   CHEC will be open as usual up to and including Friday 24th this week, then will open from 29/12 to 31/12. They will close for New Year and re-open on 4th Jan 2022. When they are open, the live chat function works well and you can access it from their website: https://www.communityeyecare.uk , there’s a green “we are here” in the bottom right corner of the front page.
4. Vacancy
   
   Visioncall (https://www.vision-call.co.uk) are looking for Optometrists to work in southeast Hertfordshire and potentially travel a little farther south west to Reading.

   Please call Lesley McKinnon on 07923 257753 or email her at LMcKinnon@visioncall.co.uk for more details and an informal chat.

5. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
   We hope you and your families keep well and enjoy a well-earned break. We look forward to supporting you next year and hope it will be a prosperous one! Best wishes for 2022, from the LOC Committee.

Kind regards

Herts LOC