ODOB: Covid-19 update - LEVEL 4 LOCKDOWN

The Ministry of Health recognises that optometrists may assist in the delivery of 'emergency and acute' eye care during the lock down period.

This care must be delivered in an environment where the strict Covid-19 protocols specified by the Government can be observed, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Phone triage should be undertaken first before proceeding to have a patient attend an optometry practice. Following consultation (via phone and/or in person), if necessary, the optometrist should consider collaborative care with ophthalmology.

If you are in doubt with any decision making you should discuss and collaborate with your local DHB to ensure not only the patient is triaged appropriately but to ensure you are taking appropriate steps to help the government priority to eliminate community transmission of Covid-19. We understand the DHBs may modify the triage guidelines to accommodate the individual regions.

As you would be aware, last year a New Zealand optometry triage guideline had been created for Alert Level 4. At this stage we recommend that this be followed in conjunction with the RANZCO Covid-19 triage guidelines adapted from the Moorfields Eye Hospital guidelines and modified for the New Zealand environment.

Click here for the Covid-19 New Zealand optometry triage guidelines

Click here for the RANZCO NZ Covid-19 triage guidelines
Optical products and devices

The Board also expects that there will be questions on whether the provision of optical products and devices that are deemed an emergency or a necessity for an essential worker to continue to perform their work.

At present the Board will continue with the original Government communication from the lockdown last year. The Government expect that essential goods cover those products that keep people warm, replace key household appliances, and maintain people’s health. Businesses will need to form a judgement as to which of their products are genuinely essential. They expect businesses and households to act responsibly when they decide what these essential goods might be.

The Board’s viewpoint on this remains the same as last year, that the provision of optical products could be considered an essential non-food product if it is deemed by the practitioner that it is an essential good and meets the definitions set out by the Government.

The Board, however, wants to emphasise the need to minimise this activity to instances where it is at a level of an emergency only. Optometry practices should still remain closed and face to face routine examinations should not occur. If you have to provide an emergency optical product then you should do so in a way that protects the public and minimises the risk of Covid-19 spreading, as well as complying with the Government guidelines. Sales and commercial gain should not influence any clinical decision making.

If entry into your practice is deemed an emergency, then you must record details of all members of the public entering your place of business to ensure effective contact tracing. The Board may, at any time request this information and it should be readily available. For further information: Click here

Click here for a link to the full information relating to 'essential services'

Your professional associations will also be good sources of information and advice, so check their websites and e-communications for relevant information.

The Boards role under HPCA Act is to protect the health and safety of the public by providing for mechanisms to ensure that optometrists and Dispensing Opticians are competent and fit to practice, and is here to provide guidance on Ministry of Health advice during this pandemic. As a registered health practitioner you must not endanger the health and safety of members of the public.

Keep your patients up-to-date

During the lock down period, practices must keep their patients up-to-date with information in regards to what their patients should do in an eye care emergency, just like you do if your practice is closed for the Christmas period. This could include:

• Placing signage on your practice window or door
• directing them to call the appropriate phone numbers for assistance
• Include an answerphone message on your business line
• Email or text alerts with instructions on the number to call for emergency assistance
• Placing information on practice websites or social media pages

Therapeutic prescriptions

Pharmacists, will again be under enormous pressure in responding to the requirements of Covid-19 and are needing to protect themselves at the same time as assisting patients in dispensing their medicines. It would be extremely helpful if you could encourage all prescriptions that are issued to be no greater than 1 month and then faxed or sent through NZePS to the pharmacy desired by the patient.

Contacting the Board

The Board is currently liaising with other regulators, the Ministry of Health and its staff to ensure the seamless delivery of regulatory services, activating its business continuity plan, and moving to a ‘working from home’ mode of operation. The Board office remains contactable by the usual methods of phone and email, but our physical office is closed for the time being. Enquiry volumes could be high, but we will respond as promptly as we are able.

Mental Wellbeing

The Board is aware that these changes can cause stress and impact mental wellbeing. Whilst there are things that we can’t control now, there are things we can do to boost our mental health wellbeing and that of your loved ones.

Stay connected. The Board would like to encourage anyone struggling to come to terms with the current situation to seek support. This may be to a professional (see details below) or it may be by calling your friends and whānau or maybe even calling out to a neighbour.

If you need mental wellbeing support or advice you can call or text 1737 to access the national telehealth support line anytime day or night to talk to a trained counsellor.

No matter who you work for or what title you have – support each other and yourself! Be kind and be safe.

If any further updates become available, these will be communicated as soon as possible.

Noho ora mai / stay well

Jayesh Chouhan, Board chair and Antony McFelin, registrar