10 July 2020

Workforce risk assessment for primary eye care practices

The College, in collaboration with FODO, ABDO and AOP, has developed a COVID-19 workforce risk assessment for primary eye care practices.

The College, in collaboration with FODO, ABDO and AOP, has developed a COVID-19 workforce risk assessment for primary eye care practices. This workforce risk assessment provides employers and employees with background, guidance and a template that enables them to take a consistent approach to individual risk assessments. It can also be used by self-employed optometrists to complete a self-assessment. 

All practice staff should complete an individual risk assessment, as a priority, so that those at high risk can be identified, and discuss any concerns relating to their risk and the impact of developing COVID-19 with their line manager or occupational health adviser.

From mid-July onwards, NHS England and Improvement will be carrying out two snap surveys to check that COVID-19 risk assessments have been carried out for all staff within practices – including cleaning staff.  More details to be released soon.

We have also developed a COVID-19 risk assessment form for new and expectant mothers

This article was correct at time of publication. 

Related further reading

As society continues to open up, the Optometry in Practice editorial board thought it opportune to reflect on the experiences of the pandemic to date and assess the impact on both eyecare professionals and our patients.

It is rare for respiratory viruses to cause eye infections, writes Kim Thomas, but they may use the eye as a portal of entry. And what is the mechanism behind their travel to the respiratory system?

How do clinicians choose between generic and branded drugs, balancing the need for patient safety against cost? Kathy Oxtoby takes a look.