Your Eye Screening Appointment During Coronavirus

Please read this information to help you decide about attending for your diabetic eye screening.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, eye screening was paused. It is now safe to start screening again.

We are doing all we can to protect you and our staff from Coronavirus. The following measures have been put in place:

• Screening clinics will follow infection and prevention control guidance. This means we will regularly clean all clinic areas and equipment.
• Our staff will use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the screening test as they will need to be near you (within 2 metres).

• Current social distancing rules will be followed by everyone, wherever possible.

• Hand sanitizer will be available in all screening clinics.

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Published February 2021
 

Contents

― To stop the spread of Coronavirus do not attend for screening if:
― What will be different when I go for my appointment?
― I've been advised to self isolate, should I still go for my appointment?
― Can someone come with me to my appointment?
― I will need to get public transport to my appointment. Is this allowed?
― What if I am unwell on the day of my appointment?
 

To stop the spread of Coronavirus do not attend for screening if:

• You think you have had symptoms of Coronavirus [within the last 10 days]
• A member of your household has experienced symptoms of Coronavirus in the last 10 days
• You have been in close contact with a person with Coronavirus within the last 10 days

The symptoms of Coronavirus are:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough or
• a loss or change to smell or taste

• You think you have had symptoms of Coronavirus [within the last 10 days]
• A member of your household has experienced symptoms of Coronavirus in the last 10 days
• You have been in close contact with a person with Coronavirus within the last 10 days

Contact us to re-arrange your appointment.  Find out more about the symptoms of Coronavirus on the Welsh Gov website.

We will telephone you before your appointment to check that you do not have symptoms.

 

What will be different when I go to my appointment?

To keep everyone safe we have made the following changes:

• We ask that you attend at your appointment time.  We may not be able to screen you if you arrive too early, or late
• Please wear a face covering (mask)
• Please use the hand sanitiser which is available on entry to the building
• Screening staff will be wearing PPE including a face covering
• There will be less people in the waiting areas and corridors
• Toilet facilities may not be open in some screening locations
• In some screening locations you may need to wait outside the building until you are collected.

 

I’ve been advised to self isolate, should I still go to my appointment?

If you were previously shielding and have been invited for screening, please call the number on your invitation letter. We can discuss what we are doing to keep you safe, and the options that you have.  You might want to discuss your screening appointment with the health professional who usually provides your care. This might be a specialist nurse or doctor.

If you have been advised to self isolate due to being in contact with a person with Coronavirus then you must stay at home and not attend for screening. Please contact us to reschedule your appointment.

 

Can someone come with me to my appointment?

Please come to your appointment on your own unless advised otherwise. If you need support, an interpreter or have a carer please contact us before your appointment date to discuss this.

 

I will need to get public transport to my appointment. Is this allowed?

You can use public transport to travel to your appointment. For the most recent guidance on how to travel safely, go to Traveline Cymru’s website. If you need to change the time of your appointment, or postpone your appointment please let us know.

What if I am unwell on the day of my appointment?

If you think you have symptoms of Coronavirus you must stay at home and not attend for screening.  Please contact us to reschedule your appointment.

 

Screening saves sight.  Let us know if you have decided not to attend as we can offer your appointment to someone else.