A fitness to practise hearing for a dispensing optometrist who allegedly fitted 14 patients with contact lenses while not qualified has been adjourned until April because a witness due to give evidence was not available to attend.
The panel at the London hearing last Thursday heard that David Agyeman, working in the Minworth, Sutton Coldfield branch of Asda, carried out 75 consultations on various dates in just under two months and fitted the lenses.
It emerged that on September 6 2005, when the question of his qualification status was raised, Agyeman who was hired through an agency left.
Nevertheless the hearing was told that a 'dialogue' had begun between him and Asda over his position.
Nick Leale, for the GOC told the panel: 'On September 6 it came to light at Asda that Agyeman did not possess sufficient qualifications and was therefore acting outside his capacity. It was raised with the GOC and he immediately left.'
He added that a 'dialogue' began between Agyeman and Asda in which the DO, referring to his conduct in fitting lenses while not qualified, had said there was a dispute over whether he had knowingly done so.
However, the panel was told that he now admitted the allegation of fitting 14 patients with contact lenses while not qualified. But he denied what happened amounted to misconduct.
The hearing was told Agyeman claimed that, as far as he was concerned, he had discussed the issue with Asda beforehand and because there were one or two optometrists around there was sufficient supervision. A witness on this aspect was unable to attend and the case will now be held on April 7 2008.