Current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
FAO: All Optometry Colleagues
Below is the latest information RE: Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Last Updated: 11th January 2021 (at 14:33)
** Latest CMO Letters **
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HSS(MD) 4/2021 - 08.01.2021 - Timing of Interval between COVID-19 Vaccine Doses is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 94/2020 - 04.01.2021 - CMO Letters regarding the UK COVID-19 Vaccination programmes are available HERE and HERE. A short statement from the JCVI about first dose prioritisation is also available HERE. An extract from the CEM CMO 2020 / 044 Green Book is also available HERE
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HSS(MD) 93/2020 - 30.12.2020 - Deployment of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine in Northern Ireland and Updated JCVI Advice on COVID-19 Vaccines is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 92/2020 - 05.01.2021 - New Variant of SARS-COV-2 Virus in South Africa; Actions for the Health Service in Northern Ireland in available HERE
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HSS(MD) 91/2020 - 23.12.2020 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert - Therapeutic Anti-Coagulation (Heparin) in the Management of Severe COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Positive Patients is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 84/2020 - 10.12.2020 - Pfizer Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine - Updated Guidance on Managing Allergic Reactions is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 82/2020 - 07.12.2020 - Deployment of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Northern Ireland is available HERE
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Letter to the Profession from the 4 UK CMO's - 04.12.2020 - RE: Winter Vaccines and Research is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 77/2020 - 17.11.2020 - Expression of Interest to all Registered Health Care Professionals to become Sessional Vaccinators to Help Implement the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 70/2020 - 06.10.2020 - COVID-19 - Shielding Guidance for Children and Young People: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is available HERE
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HSS(MD) 67/2020 - 17.09.2020 - Minimising Risks of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings is available HERE.
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HSS(MD) 26/2020 - 19.04.2020 - COVID-19 PPE Guidance Update is available HERE
** Useful Links for Optometrists (should be reviewed regularly) **
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Public Health Agency (PHA) - LINK
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UK Government Response - LINK
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PHE Guidance to health professionals - LINK
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PHE guidance for primary care - LINK
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Click HERE to access the College of Optometrists guidance for all home nations.
Bulletins
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.1 is available HERE.
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.2 is available HERE.
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.3 is available HERE
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.4 is available HERE.
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.5 is available HERE.
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.6 is available HERE.
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.7 is available HERE.
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.8 is available HERE
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.9 is available HERE
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Optometry COVID-19 Bulletin No.10 is available HERE
Optometry CPD and Training: Webinars and Events is available HERE
Key Information
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Letter to Community Optometrists RE: COVID Vaccination (11.01.2021) is available HERE
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Letter to Optometry Contractors RE: Eyecare Service Provision during current COVID-19 Restriction Period (08.01.2021) is available HERE
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Letter to Optometry Contractors RE: Vaccine Programme (07.01.2021) is available HERE
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Re-establishment of Primary Care Ophthalmic Services - Operational Guidance (16.12.2020) is available HERE
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Letter from HSCB - RE: COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for General Ophthalmic Services (10.12.2020) is available HERE
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Letter from Dr Brid Farrell, PHA RE: COVID-19 Antibody Testing Study (03.12.2020) is available HERE
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Letter from HSCB - RE: Supporting Optical Professions throughout the Pandemic (27.11.2020) is available HERE
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PHE - COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance (20.08.2020) is available HERE
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RNIB and Guide Dogs launch guidance on Social Distancing for NI (20.08.2020) - Social Distancing Guidelines is available HERE and Guidance from RNIB and Guide Dogs on Social Distancing is available HERE
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For NI PEARS carried out from 29th June 2020 please see MOS 333 HERE
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Recommended PPE Poster - Primary Outpatient & Community Care Settings is available HERE
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Optometrist Key worker confirmation is available HERE
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Letter to Ophthalmic Contractors RE: HSC Complaints during COVID-19 (26.03.2020) is available HERE
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COVID-19 Optometry Contractors_Patient Signature Guidance (20.03.2020) is available HERE
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COVID-19 Optometry Business Continuity Plan (March 2020) is available HERE