A consultation will be launched later this year by the General Optical Council to look at how its standards of practice are implemented when considering whether to notify the DVLA without patient consent, if a patient will not or cannot refer themselves when unfit to drive.
The regulator said in several fatalities in recent years, drivers had ignored advice from healthcare professionals like opticians and had seen calls for mandatory DVLA notification, should the patient be deemed unfit to drive.
A number of registrants had asked for clarity on the standards, said the Council. Currently, registrants are advised to use their ‘professional judgement,’ considering both standard 11 which outlines obligations for protection of patients and standard 14, that details patient confidentiality.
At present, it is the legal responsibility of the patient to notify the DVLA of any medical condition that may affect safe driving.
