New guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE)

“The UK‘s public health bodies and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have published new guidance about personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS teams in all parts of the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. We welcome this guidance as it rightly includes optometrists as essential primary care providers, and we recommend our members follow its recommendations.

“The new guidance now recommends that clinicians should assess risk of infection to themselves and their patients. If they consider there is an infection risk, then for the direct care or assessment (within 2 metres) of a patient who is not a possible or confirmed COVID-19 case they should wear gloves and an apron, and consider wearing a surgical mask and eye or face protection. The College recommends that all optometrists working within 2 meters of a patient should choose to wear a surgical mask. More information is available in our updated FAQ.

“We understand that national health services are now looking urgently at providing access to the PPE supply chain for optical practices who are providing essential services across the UK and we are working with stakeholders to understand when PPE will be available.”