Optics prepares for data protection changes

Optical bodies met with representatives from pharmacy and dentistry last week to discuss what proposed data protection reforms might mean for primary healthcare providers.

While the introduction of GDPR next month has been well publicised, FODO director of policy and strategy Ann Blackmore said the UK government's Data Protection Bill could pose more of a challenge.

Blackmore said the Bill went beyond GDPR, in requiring companies to assign a Data Protection Officer (DPO).

'The Optical Confederation is lobbying the government to get this changed,' she told Optician during Optrafair.

If smaller healthcare companies cannot gain exemption from the 'onerous' requirement, then third party DPOs might need to be created to support practices.