Statement on withdrawal of standard operating procedure and self-isolation exemption in England

The College, ABDO, the AOP and FODO advise that optical practices should continue to follow Amber phase COVID-19 guidance; and self-isolation exemptions in England are unlikely to apply in primary eye care settings at this stage of the pandemic. We will continue to monitor updates to public health advice and support eye care service delivery as the situation evolves.

It has been announced that the NHS England/Improvement (NHSE/I) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Optical Practices has been withdrawn. However, the optical sector bodies support the need to follow other existing guidance and maintain robust IPC measures. This means practices should continue to follow the College’s Amber phase COVID-19 guidance and the GOC supporting statements for the Amber phase, including advice on patient face coverings. These are consistent with the existing COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance which will continue to apply in all healthcare settings. 

Maintaining high standards of infection controls, including handwashing and wearing face masks is vital to protect practice teams and remain open to provide eye care as people begin to move about more freely. 

The Department on Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced that fully vaccinated frontline health and care staff may continue to work rather than self-isolate when they have been identified as close contact of a COVID-19 positive case outside of the work setting. This has been introduced to help alleviate pressure on healthcare services. The DHSC is clear that the exemption only applies where frontline health and social care staff absence may lead to a significant risk of harm to patients.
 
NHS England has published a letter confirming that this exemption applies in all NHS settings, including primary eye care, but is subject to strict conditions. The optical sector bodies support the need to help prevent patient harm. 

The optical sector bodies have considered these conditions and concluded that this exemption is not likely to be available in primary care optical practices, except in genuinely exceptional circumstances. 

This exemption must not be used as a general mechanism to prevent staff from self-isolating, or bring self-isolating staff back to work in the absence of exceptional circumstances.
 
The College and optical sector bodies are working with NHSE/I and continually reviewing the guidance to ensure it remains comprehensive and up-to-date. The College will be updating its amber phase guidance later this week to reflect changes in government advice.