NRC to reopen Monday 6 July
The National Resource Centre (NRC) is the Association of British Dispensing Optician’s flagship meeting, events and examinations venue. The NRC is reopening for bookings from 6 July, with a raft of measures in place to ensure all users are safe.
For anyone in the optical industry, now is a difficult time to plan meetings and training. Online meetings have filled the gap, but sometimes you just can’t replace the benefits of face to face events. If you are planning how to deliver training or events, you’ll be reassured by the changes made to the NRC to ensure the facilities are safe for visitors and staff as the team plans to welcome users back.
Operations Manager Mat Stringer says, “We have carried out a thorough risk assessment at the NRC. All staff have completed infection prevention and control (IPC) training, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE will be provided for visitors who have booked meetings and events as well as hand sanitising stations throughout the centre. And communal areas have been adapted to adhere to social distancing. Perspex screens have been fitted in areas where necessary. You can be confident that the NRC is a safe place for your events and training. Your health and well-being is our top priority.”
In the NRC Meeting, Event and Training spaces, there is now contactless sign in. Mat and team have installed hand sanitising stations and guidance throughout the NRC. All areas have been configured for social distancing, and there are now protective desktop screens available when needed. The cleaning protocols have been reviewed so cleaning will take place with increased frequency.
Visitors will receive a new COVID-19 communication and conduct protocol before each event, along with the assistance of an individual event host. PPE will be supplied to visitors.
The NRC is well known for its excellent catering and high quality drinks and this will continue. There is a brand new personal food menu with meals served individually. Single use Vegware cups, cutlery and plates are now ready for use: although single use, these are compostable and responsibly sourced. Tea, coffee and sundries and now all enveloped and single use, and there are new cleaning stations at all coffee and catering areas.
The NRC has 10 clinical bays, plus a screening area and glazing lab, all of which are available for training use. Mat says, “Each clinical bay is sanitised before and after each use, and we have PPE and IPC signage in place along with social distancing markings. There are hand wash stations with soap, paper towels, hand cleaning signage and closed lid wastage. We have also installed slit lamp guards.”
To find out more about these measures and to discuss booking the NRC, contact Mat Stringer: mstringer@abdonrc.org.uk
