The following is a special Covid-19 update from the optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB)
FROM THE ODOB BOARD (27 Aug 2021)
The Board would firstly like to thank all registrants in their efforts to adhering to regulatory requirements during the nationwide Alert Level 4 lockdown. As mentioned previously the Delta variant is a game changer and we need to be vigilant in preventing the spread of Covid-19.
As you will be aware, the Prime Minister has announced changes to the current Alert Levels. New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm Tuesday 31 August 2021, then all of New Zealand south of Auckland will move to Alert Level 3.
Please find below information that would be relevant to your specific Alert Level.
Alert Level 3 – Summary
At this stage the Board has not received any new updates or communication from the Ministry of Health. Therefore we recommend to follow the same advice we communicated previously regarding Alert Level 3.
Appointments for allied health services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, optometry and Well Child Tamaraki Ora services will continue to be mainly online or over the phone. Some face-to-face physiotherapy, podiatry, optometry appointments may be provided for urgent appointments only, so long as professionals can take appropriate measures to manage public health risks.
If you decide to practise:
‘Urgent care’ for community allied health professionals is defined as:
1. a condition which is life or limb threatening or
2. treatment required to maintain the basic necessities of life or
3. treatment that cannot be delayed or carried out remotely without risk of significant harm or permanent and/or significant disability and
4. which cannot be delivered by a service which is currently operating or by health professionals that are already in contact with the patient.
The Board also recommends that you continue to work collaboratively with your DHB. Follow, at a minimum, the current Ministry of Health guidelines, published on their website and stay in contact with your professional body including the NZAO and ADONZ.
Alert Level 4 – Summary
Emergency and acute eye care – new restrictions
As you are aware, optometrists are recognised as essential health services in the delivery of 'emergency and acute' eye care under Alert Level 4. However, due to the increased risk of the transmissibility of the Delta variant, the scope of provision is to preserve life or limb only.
Click here for the communication from the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer.
Therefore, if your patient needs are urgent/acute and cannot be assessed, or treated via telehealth, please contact your local DHB and refer them to these services. Face to face consultation should not occur under Alert Level 4 unless it is to preserve life or limb.
The Board has be in contact with RANZCO to ensure ophthalmology is aware of these changes and the subsequent impact on DHB eye departments around the country.
In addition the Ministry of Health has provided extra clarity around the provision of emergency and acute eye care. Click here
Provision of optical products and devices – new restrictions
As indicated earlier 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.
However, this must be limited to instances where it is at a level of a “true emergency” only (using sound clinical judgement) and can only be done without any face to face contact. Optometry practices should remained closed and patients should not be invited to attend the practice. Delivery of goods should be done adhering to all strict Covid-19 protocols specified by the Government. Sales and commercial gain should not influence any clinical decision making.
The above information may be subject to change. If any further updates become available, especially around Alert Level 3 requirements, these will be communicated as soon as possible.
Noho ora mai / stay well
Jayesh Chouhan, Board chair and Antony McFelin, registrar