News

Essential Services Designation in British Columbia

March 27, 2020

BCDO has confirmed with the Ministry of Health that Optometry is an “essential service” by virtue of the legislative identification of a health profession as defined in the Health Professions Act. The news release issued on March 26, 2020 states “all health care services, including…”, and the Ministry notes that although the “including” and “example” section […]

BCCDC/Ministry of Health: COVID-19 – Unproven Therapies Recommendations

March 26, 2020

While some of you may have already seen this, I want to make sure that you are all aware of a recent posting by the Clinical Reference Group. This group is situated under the planning arm of the provincial Health Emergency Coordination Centre (HECC), to provide clinical advice and guidance related to COVID-19. Last […]

Questions and Answers about the Provincial Health Officer’s March 23, 2020 Update for Regulated Health Professionals

March 25, 2020

Questions and Answers about the Provincial Health Officer’s March 23, 2020 Update for Regulated Health Professionals The College of Optometrists of BC (the “College”), along with other colleges, have compiled questions and answers about Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry’s March 23, 2020 update for regulated health professionals. What does this update from the […]

Update from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issues expectations for regulated health professionals during COVID-19 pandemic. On March 23, 2020, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued an important update for all regulated healthcare professionals in BC. This update provides further guidance for healthcare professionals regulated under the Health Professions Act that provide patient care in […]

College of Optometrists of BC update re: COVID-19

March 20, 2020

I write to you at a challenging and unchartered time in our history. As we all began the year 2020, we all felt it was our year, and there was so much that we all looked forward to. But that has all changed and we could not have predicted that we would be at a […]

COVID-19: Notice of College Office Closure

March 17, 2020

Due to the current situation of COVID-19 the College office is taking precautions, recommended by the Provincial Health Officer, to protect the health and safety of everyone. Effective Wednesday March 18, the College office will be closed until March 31. We shall have limited services available; however, will be answering phone calls and will respond […]

Update RE COVID 19 – March 17, 2020

The College has been receiving a large number of inquiries from registrants regarding assistance and guidance in managing their response to the COVID-19outbreak. The College urges registrants to monitor the orders and directives that are being issued by our Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer. We recognize the situation is changing rapidly, and […]

Message From Dr. Bonnie Henry Provincial Health Officer

March 16, 2020

The following message is being sent to all health care workers on behalf of Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer. Dear health care worker. As we continue our efforts to slow the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, advice regarding public health measures in our communities and health care settings is evolving quickly. Further to the […]

Information to Registrants on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – March 13, 2020

Information to registrants on COVID-19 (coronavirus) If you are a registrant of the College of Optometrists of British Columbia and a patient who may have been exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19, what are the appropriate infection control protocols to follow, and what are the reporting obligations with this patient. BC health regulatory […]

Information on Novel Coronavirus – February 3, 2020

As many of you are aware, there has been an international outbreak of Coronavirus, and although it has hit British Columbia with one confirmed case, the risk for British Columbians remains low. The College wants to inform our registrants and their patients to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines, to keep everyone safe.  The health, safety and wellbeing […]