VISITING OCULA NOW THAT THE COVID-19 PROTECTION FRAMEWORK HAS ENDED

Posted 2 years ago by Danielle Winstone

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OCULA is an essential primary healthcare provider, and will continue to offer comprehensive and equal services to all regardless of vaccination status.

With the announcement that the COVID-19 Protection Framework has been retired, comes a certain sense of relief.

That said, we are passionate about keeping our customers and our teams safe, and as a healthcare provider, certain restrictions, such as wearing a face covering, still apply in order for us to do just that.

Please read the below for more info:

If you answer YES to any of the following, please contact the practice directly first - before heading in - to make any necessary arrangements.

  • Do you have a mask exemption?
    • If YES, please contact the practice directly and our optometrist will contact you directly to discuss a tailored approach to treatment with you
  • Do you have any of the following symptoms?
    • Fever
    • New cough
    • New breathlessness
    • Sore throat
    • Cold symptoms / runny nose
    • Loss of sense of smell
  • Are you awaiting a COVID test result?

When you come in for eyewear or any other retail products: 

  • Face covering. To keep us all safe, all customers and patients over the age of 6 years will still be required to wear a disposable surgical mask. If you don't have a disposable surgical mask, we will happily provide one for you. 

When attending an appointment:

  • Virtual consultations available. Not feeling comfortable to be out and about? Our optometrists are still available for virtual consultations, and can triage your needs to advise if an in-person consultation is required. These appointments will be charged at our usual rates. To book, click here and select "Telehealth Video Consultation". 
  • Face covering. To keep us all safe, all customers and patients over the age of 6 years will still be required to wear a disposable surgical mask. If you don't have a disposable surgical mask, we will happily provide one for you. 
  • Hand washing or sanitiser. When you enter the practice, please use hand sanitiser or wash your hands. This is the most effective way to reduce the transmission of germs, and we appreciate your cooperation.
  • Appointments will run on time. We make sure we run on time for your appointment, and we ask that you do the same. If you are late for an appointment, please understand that we may have to either: a) perform a shorter appointment or b) reschedule your appointment. Having staggered appointments running on time reduces cross-over between patients and allows our practitioners time to perform the disinfection protocols between patients. 
  • Our waiting areas. If you are on-time for your appointment, please come straight in - we will be waiting for you :) If you are early for your appointment, please wait outside or in your car until your appointment time. This reduces the number of patients in our clinical space and helps with social distancing in our waiting areas. 
  • One support person at your appointment. If required, please bring only one support person to your appointment. Your support person must not be unwell or require isolation (the same guidelines apply to them as all of our customers, as above). At this time, children are not able to attend your appointment or wait in the waiting area during your appointment. If the appointment is for a child, a parent or guardian is encouraged to attend also, but we do ask that only one parent or guardian attends; no siblings or friends please.  
  • Namaste. No offence, but we’re not shaking hands, hugging and refraining from physical contact as much as possible. Instead, we may welcome you with a namaste to share a little peace and calm. 

 

Of course, these measures are in addition to the already stringent hygiene standards we are upholding. We do ask for your help in keeping our community safe. Our clinics regularly care for the elderly, infants and those with complex medical conditions.

We ask you to please take the proper health precautions when visiting our locations, and please reschedule your appointment if you are either unwell and/or are awaiting a COVID test result. 

We appreciate your support through these difficult times, and we know that we can all get through this together again. 

 

See you soon, 

 

The team @ OCULA

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