Sourcing PPE
Optical Practice must have an NHSemail to access PPE via the NHS portal. This is aimed at providing PPE for NHS patients only. Therefore you may still require a private supply of PPE depending on what % of your patients are generally eligible for GOS tests.
Current advice on PPE is available from the College of Optometrists website, who advise we wear single-use gloves, aprons and sessional surgical masks and visors. Plastic breath shields should be attached to slit lamps and disinfected between patients.
Limit use of PPE by conducting a telephone/video call first. If patients have symptoms of COVID you should not see them, refer to secondary care. If you do not have adequate PPE you should not perform an eye examination.
If you need help calculating the amount of PPE you require, Birmingham Optical have produced some resources to help you.
NTW LOC declare no affiliation with any of the following companies, they are listed only to help local practices obtain sufficient PPE for their needs. Other PPE suppliers are available.
Local PPE Suppliers
Mondiale – Hexham – 07538 000729
Northumbrian Medical Supplies – Newcastle – 0191 2867799
PPE Suppliers Ltd – M’Bro – 01642 467654
Safechem – Covid cleaning products, Co. Durham
National PPE Suppliers
Primary Eyecare Supplies (non for profit)
Alcon slit lamp breath shields email alcon.professionalaffairs@alcon.com
Centrostyle prevention and protection products
Clear Vision eyewear – a range of PPE. Use ABDOFIVE for a 5% further discount
Dibble Optical hygiene products
Eyespace: full-face shields, safety glasses (fit-over) and protective goggles
Go Eyewear PPE visors email jan.scott@goeyeweargroup.com
Grafton Optical Perspex hygiene screens
Grafton Optical slit lamp breath shields
Haag Streit downloadable larger breath shield template for Haag Streit slit lamps
Heidelberg engineering protective breath shields
Hilcovision replacement breath shields
Louis Stone slit lamp breath shields
Luminati slit lamp breath shields
Luneautech UVC framedisinfection
Practice Building UVC frame sanitiser
Safilo safety glasses and facial shields Contact customerserviceuk@safilo.com to purchase.
Stevenage Packaging Ltd – 01438 742890
Topcon breath shields for slit lamps
Zeiss slit lamp breath shields
Flexi PPE – PPE & protective screens
Instaprint – Counter top sneeze guards
Three Sixty – PPE Supplies
Shop Shields – Protective Screens
Bondeye Optical – PPE Supplies
Mid Optic – PPE Supplies
Mainline Optical – PPE Supplies & Frame Sanitiser