In Focus: Profession sees red over phase guidance

Data from a practitioner-led survey has revealed that nearly nine out of 10 members of the profession thought the current phase guidance from the College of Optometrists was not appropriate for the current stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Created by Norfolk optometrist Ed Adkins, the survey attracted nearly 1,000 responses and asked what phase optical practices should be in, given the current situation. Sixty-one percent of respondents said they should be providing emergency and urgent care only under red phase conditions, while a further 27% said last year’s amber phase guidance should be in place. The older amber phase guidance saw the recommendation of urgent and emergency care while allowing for eye tests in patients with symptoms. Current amber phase guidance states urgent and emergency care should be prioritised along with symptoms-led tests, but routine testing is permitted where capacity permits. Just 12 of the survey’s respondents felt this was the correct guidance given current circumstances.