| | GfPP
Section / Page | Proposed new guidance | Current guidance | Notes |
| 1 | A459 A460 (p108) | Remote consultations - A459
You should use your professional judgement to decide whether it is in the patient's best interests to offer remote consultations. - A460
You should follow the high level principles for remote consultations and prescribing*.
*(GOC) High level principles for good practice in remote consultations and prescribing (optical.org) | | New section |
| 4 | B37, parts f&g (p116) | B37 f - Attach a breath guard or shield to the slit lamp.
B37 g - You must ensure adequate ventilation within the consulting room (for example, via opening a window, mechanical ventilation or additional air filtration equipment). Where an unacceptable risk of transmission remains following a risk assessment, it may be necessary to consider the use of respiratory protective equipment (such as FFP3 or equivalent).
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 | | New bullet points |
| 5 | B38 (p118) | Personal protective equipment B38 You should risk assess whether to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). a. where you anticipate exposure to protect against direct contact with blood, body fluids or non-intact skin. b. while handling and cleaning decontaminated equipment. All PPE should be: c. located close to the point of use d. single-use only items, unless specified by the manufacturer or public health body. Reusable PPE items, must be decontaminated according to the manufacturer recommendations. e. stored appropriately f. disposed of after use into the correct waste stream. | Protective clothing (refer to COVID-19 guidance) B38 Wear protective clothing (refer to COVID-19 guidance): - to protect against direct contact with body fluid
- while handling and cleaning decontaminated equipment.
| Section rewritten to align with national IPC guidance |
| 6 | B39 (p118) | Masks B39 You should risk assess whether to wear an appropriate mask when: a. Performing procedures when in close proximity to the patient b. you consider there is a serious risk of respiratory infection If an FFP3 or FFP2 mask is required, a fit test must be conducted before using in practice, with a fit check carried out each time it is used. Where fit testing indicates FFP3 or FFP2 mask does not provide adequate protection, an alternative form of respiratory protective equipment that does not rely on a tight fitting to the face must be worn. If there is a public health requirement to wear one, such as during a pandemic, you must wear an appropriate mask. You should follow the relevant national or local public health guidance to ensure you are using the correct mask with the appropriate level of protection. | Masks B39 You do not have to use a mask, unless there is a serious risk of respiratory infection or there is a public health requirement to wear one, such as during a pandemic. If you do need to use a face mask you should follow the relevant national or local public health guidance to ensure you are using the correct mask with the appropriate level of protection. (refer to COVID-19 guidance). | Section rewritten to align with national IPC guidance |
| 7 | B40 (p118) | B40 Gloves and aprons | B40 Gloves | Section now includes aprons |
| 8 | B56 (p123) | B56 - keeping it clean and free from clutter and dust
| B56 - keeping it clean and free from dust
| Updated bullet point to include keeping free of clutter |
| 9 | B57 (p124) | B57 You should decontaminate equipment that comes into contact with patients, including g. sample frames | | New bullet point |
| 10 | B63 (p126) | B63 Isopropyl alcohol of a concentration of 70% has been shown to be effective against SARS-CoV-2, MRSA, and staphylococcus infection. Other antimicrobial wipes may be used provided they carry the CE or UKCA mark, used according to the manufacturer's instructions | | Added to section on Isopropyl alcohol |
| 11 | B116 (p140) | Situations of increased concern – public health emergencies B116 You should follow your nation's infection prevention and control procedures for the duration through which it applies. During public health emergencies there may be additional College guidance which you should refer to. | | New section to support future public health emergencies |
| 12 | C211 (p178) | C211 You should provide copies of correspondence and any relevant supporting information in an accessible format. | | Amendment |
| 13 | - | Remove all 53 references to the COVID guidance | refer to COVID-19 guidance | Remove all 53 references to the COVID guidance |