05 May 2020

FODO Member alert – PPE supplies

There are now new ways to source your PPE. 

Optical PPE shop opens in England 

LOCSU and Primary Eyecare Services have launched a new online PPE shop for practices in England. You can now order PPE recommended by the College of Optometrists - i.e. gloves, aprons and masks. The website also provides face visors. 

LOCSU has confirmed the shop will operate a non-profit basis and it aims to ensure "that all practices can quickly access affordable PPE when they need it", adding the PPE has "been sourced at the lowest available price" with a free delivery option. 

To manage demand the website currently restricts each practice location to ordering enough PPE to see 100 patients - e.g. a maximum of 100 pairs of gloves and 100 aprons which are single use items. Practices can also order a maximum of 100 masks which can be used on a "sessional basis", rather than single use, unless they become soiled or damaged - as advised by the College of Optometrists. 

Order now 

The Government is also planning an online PPE shop. We will alert Members as soon as this goes live too.             

Optical PPE now available in Northern Ireland 

Optometry Northern Ireland (ONI) has taken receipt of 200,000 pieces of PPE funded by the HSCB. All practices have been notified to collect their allocation from one of 14 collection points around the country. 

William Stockdale, ONI Chair said the organisation "was grateful to both the Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board for recognising the vital eye care that primary care optometry is providing across Northern Ireland in the face of Covid-19. This supply of PPE protects practitioner and patient and allows us to continue providing outstanding eye care." 

ONI will monitor usage and work with the HSCB and practices throughout the pandemic to secure the necessary PPE, subject to availability. If you have any questions about this, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we will coordinate FAQs with ONI.   

Scotland 

In Scotland for this phase of the pandemic, face-to-face care is currently only taking place at EETCs for which the Scottish Government has established a central process for providing PPE in PCA(O)2020(06).         

Wales 

The Welsh Government continues to provide primary eye care providers with PPE. Learn more. 

At FODO we are open seven days a week to support you throughout the Covid-19 crisis. If you need us, please do not hesitate to contact us as usual at [email protected]