The following is a special Covid-19 update from the optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB) on 19 October 2021
ODOB: NEW UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT ALERT LEVEL 3 GUIDELINES
As a result of the ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Health regarding the balance between public safety and access to healthcare services during Alert Level 3, we are pleased to share some positive changes. The intent is to remove some of the barriers in accessing Allied Health Services.
The requirement of ‘Urgent care” has been removed under Alert Level 3.
In addition, the following criteria have been removed:
The flowchart information we communicated last week has also been modified and now applies to all regions at Alert Level 3 i.e. not when we move to Alert Level 3 step 2. Therefore is applicable right now. Click here for the Guidance for Allied Health Practitioners in non-DHB settings.
Remember, seeing patients should be based on risk and that you will be required to use appropriate clinical reasoning when deciding if you need to see the patient. Telehealth and virtual appointments are still the preferred option. If that is not possible, then is it:
If you then proceed to see the patient, you must have:
Risk assessment advice is found at the bottom of the flowchart click here
The Board wants to emphasise that it is your responsibility as a practitioner to ensure you are undertaking all practicable steps to mitigate the risk of becoming a transmission vector for Covid-19. If an appointment can be deferred to a lower level, then you should do so. Commercial gain should not influence your decision making.
With these changes effective immediately we envisage the access to healthcare for those who need the healthcare is now permissible as long as you follow the protocols outlined.
Remember, these changes and protocols are for now. When we move to either a lower level or a new alert system (such as a traffic light model) we will communicate the guidelines accordingly.
Noho ora mai / stay well
Jayesh Chouhan, Board Chair