Optical services in Leicester restricted to urgent and essential care

Eye care within Leicester will be restricted as a result of stricter lockdown measures in the region following a spike in COVID-19 cases.

The College of Optometrists confirmed in a statement on Tuesday (30 June) that Leicester practices can continue to provide urgent/emergency and essential care while the local lockdown is in force.

This means that eye care provided in Leicester will be more limited than the rest of England, where optical practices are beginning to provide routine care.

The local lockdown means that the roughly 330,000 residents of Leicester will not be able to go to restaurants, hairdressers, cafes or non-essential shops like the rest of England on 4 July. All non-essential travel to, from and within the city is discouraged.

The local lockdown restrictions will be reviewed in two weeks’ time.

A statement from the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) highlighted that NHS England is expected to confirm the next steps for all primary care providers within Leicester shortly, including optical practices.

The AOP is working with other sector bodies via the OFNC to get clarity from NHS England about what the local lockdown will mean for AOP members in Leicester, including its implications for additional NHS funding.

Live and/or work in Leicester? Get in touch with OT to share how the local lockdown has affected you and your practice.

Leicestershire County Council

The area affected by a localised lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19