Mental health and optometrists: coming out of the dark
28 October 2020
Autumn 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic means optometrists are facing extremely stressful situations. Kathy Oxtoby explores the range of services available in different settings to support mental welfare.
The pandemic has exacerbated feelings of isolation and lack of direction among optometrists, who are adjusting to a new routine of remote triaging either from the practice or from home, and seeing fewer routine patients, coupled with uncertainties about their current or future role.
Some optometrists have also been redeployed, and NHS England warns these clinicians may be at increased personal, physical or mental health risk in a new working environment.
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Related further reading
We are pleased to announce that each nation's health system has confirmed that they support a move to the ‘Green’ phase on Tuesday 10 May 2022. From then, the College’s COVID-19 Amber phase guidance will no longer apply in all UK nations.
This outlines a COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service delivered from a network of optical practices, acting as urgent eye care hubs, to support the immediate and recovery phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
Read our response to GOC's call for evidence to review the Opticians Act (1989).