Covid-19 Support

Please note this paged is archived and will not be kept up to date. It is provided for reference only should members need to look back at guidance issued during the pandemic.

We are here to help you throughout the pandemic. In this section:

• 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)

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.

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.

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

Originally published: May 2020

Last update: Sept 2021

Update log: Archived

The page was 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.