To counter an 'enormous amount of confusion' over new domiciliary regulations, three optical bodies have produced a working guidelines brief to help clarify the changes.
Optometrists and dispensers are being advised by ABDO/AOP/FODO on the 2005 statutory regulations, emphasising certain aspects of the new rules which came into operation from April so that all those involved - providers and PCTs - work within the same interpretation.
Jayne Rawlinson, spokeswoman for FODO's domiciliary eye care committee, told optician: 'The notification periods have changed compared to the previous regulations, and the details required are different.
'For example, the old regulations only required the provider to give the name of the nursing home, whereas now the patient details are required.'
Also, she said, PCTs need notification for every patient, whereas before it was only for three patients or more at the same location.
'It is important for providers to note that these changes apply to anyone who provides domiciliary eye care, whereas previously some regulations applied to mobile companies,' said Rawlinson. 'This fact is still coming as a surprise to many independents who have previously carried out domiciliary work.'
The professional bodies have been waiting since April for the Department of Health to confirm their interpretation was correct.
The guidelines can be viewed on ABDO's website www.abdo.org.uk