In Focus: Confusion as practices expand services

With the resumption of non-essential retail in England, optometric practices in the UK have been taking their first steps on the path to what many refer to as the ‘new normal’ after a sustained period of restricted operation. But conflicting positions from the regulator and associations have left many practitioners confused about the scope of what care they can provide.

Last Friday (June 12), following earlier advice on how to prepare practices for a wider reopening,
the College of Optometrists announced it had moved into the amber phase of its professional guidance for England. Moving into the amber phase meant that face-to-face care could be delivered to the needs and/or symptoms of patients, a loosening of the tighter guidance of the essential, urgent and emergency only status of the red phase.