Covid-19 framework and support tools for practices

Community audiology providers are now familiar with managing Covid-19 related risks, and all have enhanced IPC measures in place. Therefore, we are archiving our Covid-19 framework for community audiology providers, which we wrote for earlier phases of the pandemic.

Our Covid-19 framework for community audiology providers is still accessible below, but we are not updating it.

Members should continue to adhere to IPC guidance for healthcare settings and stay updated with Covid-related news by visiting our Covid news section and member newsletters.

Covid-19 framework for community audiology providers (archived)
Flow diagram - four stages to safer care (archived)
Staff - screening flow diagram/questions (archived)
Patients - screening questions
Standard precautions summary and training log (archived)
Standard precautions poster
Cleaning and disinfecting at a glance
PPE at a glance (archived)
Risk assessment template
Additional considerations for face-to-face care (archived)

Videos, posters and training

You can access free resources from trusted sources relevant to where you are based below. The resources include links to posters, videos and training material.

England

Handwashing poster landscape and portrait
HEE free training module: Infection Prevention and Control - Level 2.
HEE support: Helping mental health and wellbeing

You can also use this handwashing video for staff training

Northern Ireland

HSC Public Health Agency provides the following resources:

Posters - various Covid-19 posters in multiple languages
Video - preventing the spread of infection

Scotland

NHS inform aids communication by publishing clinically approved guidance. The guidance includes posters, videos and other useful material. It also offers some of these resources in different languages.

Access the NHS inform Covid-19 communications toolkit

You can also get high-quality NHS Scotland posters to aid:

Mental wellbeing

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has produced 'Covid-19 Mental health and wellbeing for healthcare professionals'. It covers top tips on self-care and other support.

NHS 24 also provides advice in this video:

Employment law and health and safety support

As a member, you can sign up to the Coronavirus Advice Hub for sample letters, policies, risk assessments, FAQs and additional guidance documents.

You can also access additional support by emailing us at [email protected] or phoning 01244 687 602.

Enhanced support and care

Whether you are an individual practitioner, manager, or provider organisation, we know this is an incredibly difficult time for you. That is why a senior member of the NCHA team will be on hand to help members seven days a week during this phase of the pandemic. Please contact us by email at [email protected] for out of office hours advice and support.

Quick links to official Covid-19 guidance

Official advice is updated regularly and notified through member alerts. The links below will enable you to keep up to date between member alerts and updates

Clinical guidance

AIHHP, BAA, BSHAA, BSA – Audiology and otology guidance during Covid-19
ENT UK – A graduated return to the provision of elective ENT services during the Covid-19 pandemic

Government and public health advice

England: Government and Public Health England
Northern Ireland: Government and HSC Public Health Agency
Scotland: Government and Health Protection Scotland
Wales: Government and Public Health Wales

Health service advice

NHS England: Primary care and SOP for NHS Standard Contract holders
Health Service Northern Ireland: NA – see HSC Public Health Agency above
NHS Scotland: Primary care and secondary care
NHS Wales: NA – see Public Health Wales above

People at increased risk and the extremely vulnerable

There are two different high-risk groups for Covid-19. Those at an increased risk of severe illness and the extremely vulnerable who are at the greatest risk of severe illness.

England: clinically vulnerable people and clinically extremely vulnerable people
Northern Ireland: people considered vulnerable and extremely vulnerable
Scotland: people at higher risk and extremely high risk
Wales: people at increased risk and the extremely vulnerable

Updates

The page updated on 30 September 2021 to reflect that all members are now routinely using enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) to reduce the risk of Covid transmission. We archived our existing guidance as vaccination rates have increased and all UK governments have started to change guidance on conditions under which people have to self-isolate and use face coverings. We instead encourage all members to stay up to date by visiting our Covid news section and through our weekly newsletter.