Hi , 

Below are some practical tips / suggestions / articles  compiled in conjunction with Optometry Australia, who have been living / working with COVID-19 in the community for some time now.  Optometry Australia are available to answer your questions via the Optometry Advisor Helpdesk, and you can always submit your queries to the OWA Office. Further details on contacting both via telephone or email are at the bottom of this email.  
** We note the announcement from Mark McGowan yesterday & will keep you updated with relevant information as it is made available.
 

COVID-19: Your Practice

Are you considering refusing to see unvaccinated patients at your practice? 

As a private business entity, you can choose to only permit entry to those who are wearing masks and/or are vaccinated. However, and in especially in the absence of a state mandate, you have to be careful that you implementing these policies without discrimination (e.g. disability ,race, age etc)  and be careful with privacy issues.
 

Tips If You Go Ahead:

• Clearly communicate at time of booking /confirmation / on website etc  Update emails and websites and consider displaying your entry requirements at point of entry in store. 

• If patient refuses , clearly document the conversation and refusal in their clinical records (to show that it wasn’t done on discriminatory grounds as per AVANT FAQ phrasing below link.)

• You have an obligation to discuss other options like telehealth , and/or show them elsewhere to receive care. Directing them to ‘find an optometrist’ search function on OA’s website for other local optometrists is one option. 
   

Are you permitted to ask patients if they are vaccinated?

Yes you can, no issues with asking but they have the right to refuse to answer if they wish and similarly, patients can ask YOU if you or your staff are vaccinated, and you or staff have the right to refuse to answer.   

In the absence of a WA govt mandate to ask if patients are vaccinated to enter a health service, you can still ask but they have the right to not disclose.  
 

What if the patient advises that they have a mask exemption but will not produce evidence of exemption? 

A medically exempt person in WA is NOT currently required to carry or produce their COVID-19 medical exemption, if asked.   NSW have made it a requirement that the mask exemption evidence be produced. This is NOT the case to date in WA but if it changes we will inform members.   To navigate this tricky situation,  see below blue button for PDF on  ‘How do you approach a situation where a patient refuses to wear a mask‘  has 3 scenarios and advice on what to say.
 

Can you refuse entry to patients refusing to wear a mask, even if there is no mandate to wear a mask?

Yes you can.  If there is no government mandate to wear a mask where your practice is located, you as the private business entity can still stipulate your own business policy that you will not provide entry or service unless a mask is worn at your premises.  Note: Be careful about discrimination considerations, scroll further down for discrimination advice from OA's HR Lawyer, Emma Dalley.

Make sure this is clearly communicated at time of booking/ confirmation texts / emails etc / signs at practice entry.

For example, If you have immunocompromised staff/ family member, you can implement this on the grounds of health and safety of your workplace.

COVID-19: Practice Suggestions

Infection Control, PPE, Appointments & More
 

Q. What are other practical tips to reduce the risk of COVID transmission in my practice?

• Triage patients at the time of booking as well as at arrival.  
  (e.g. Are you feeling unwell or have symptoms today?)   
  
  Note: if the patient is already within the consult room and showing visible symptoms, the optometrist can request that patient rebooks, get tested. Note your reason for rebooking and next appt scheduled.
   

• Consider your Infection Control pre / post appointments plus consider allocating longer appointment times to allow for time to implement these protocols.    We recommend watching Infection control procedures & protocol videos via the Optometry Australia online module. See below button to access & you will need to login to your OA Member Hub.
   

• Consider changing from surgical masks to N95/P2 respirators, and check your mask fits well.   Read on further for information on Masks - The Conversation
   

• Consider booking unvaccinated patient towards the end of the day (or during a time of day where there is less people in the space.)  Or consider asking unvaccinated patients to take a RAT test before coming in for their appointment. 
   

• ​Leave the door open when consulting or open windows where practical and consider HEPA filters in your practice.  We recommend that you review the Optometry Practice Ventilation page on the Optometry Australia website.  See below button to access the webpage. 
   

• Consider splitting your staff roster (if possible) into two teams.
  Plan for the implications of a staff member testing positive and a staff roster that keeps key workers separate.  Split your work force to ensure if 'Team A' have to isolate, 'Team B' do not as they have not come into contact with their colleagues on the other roster. 

Masks - The Conversation

If you are considering your mask options, you might be interested in reading this article from theconversation.com.  It certainly gives you some facts and stats and options to consider.  Article dated 18/01/22.

Supply

We have also been asked for supplier information for N95 masks - see below for link to the Surgical House. 

Industry Legal Group

Discrimination Laws

This is a good explanation provided by Optometry Australia's HR Lawyer, Emma Dalley.

"Everyone is subject to the discrimination laws not just the health sector. Businesses can set terms of entry (i.e. must be vaccinated) if it is reasonably necessary to do so (i.e. public health).

However, such businesses should be careful not to impose blanket conditions which may result in a discrimination claim.  

Generally, it is unlawful to discriminate based on a protected attribute such as a disability. If a person is unable to be vaccinated because of a protected attribute e.g. a disability, the business should consider whether they can make any reasonable adjustments rather than imposing a blanket condition."

HR Support

OA Members have access to HR, workplace and contract advice via Optometry Australia’s Industry Legal Group.

ILG works closely with OA and is staffed with HR lawyers with tailored knowledge of the optometry profession and employment conditions. Basic queries with ILG are complimentary as part of your membership. However, if ILG has been engaged by you to provide a more substantial service, you may be charged a fee at a special discounted rate. ILG will always provide you with an approximate cost to undertake the work prior to commencement.

Industry Legal Group (ILG) Optometry Australia Member Assist
HR Helpline     Tel: 1300 101 391       Email: oa@industrylegalgroup.com.au

Optometry Advisor Helpdesk

Optometry Australia have dedicated experienced optometrists ready to help with your clinical, ethical and professional questions.

This member-only service is available to assist you in all facets of your professional practice, including:

• New graduate support
• Medicare or private billing
• brainstorm clinical and patient management
• patient complaints and privacy issues
• record keeping and referrals
• reporting patients who are unfit to drive
• employment, career and contract advice
• HR and workplace issues
• CPD, registration, extended leave and return to work
• AHPRA audit help

The OA Help Desk Advisors are; 

• Luke Arundel, Chief Clinical Officer

• Ben Hamlyn, Member Support & Policy Advisor

• Sophie Koh, National Professional Services Advisor

• Dom Willson, Member Support & Policy Advisor

They are also here to support you with more complex issues – from AHPRA investigations to Medicare audits, medico-legal issues to major sector change – no matter how big or small your query, we are only a phone call or email away. The Helpdesk Team take pride in providing you with independent and unbiased advice and this will be provided in complete confidentiality and without judgement.
 

Monday to Friday    Email: national@optometry.org.au    Phone: (03) 9668 8500

OWA Office - Your Questions

If you have a question, please click on the button below to submit online to OWA.  We will respond or pass on to OA National Help Desk for their comment. It maybe that someone has already asked a similar question or its a new one and research is required.  Thank you. 

Optometry Western Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where our optometrists live and work and pays respect to the past, present and emerging Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.