Practice receives award from PCT

An optical practice has triumphed over teams from other health professions, including GPs, to win a PCT award. In what is believed to be the first achievement of its kind, a south-east independent beat 15 rivals to achieve the distinction.

Visioncare Eye Clinic of Wealdstone was awarded top prize by its local health organisation for its 'outstanding' clinical governance/audit project.

Teams from others professions - hospital doctors, GPs, physiotherapists and pharmacists - were also involved in the competition.

Chief executive of Harrow PCT Andrew Morgan presented the award to Visioncare's senior partner and optometrist Bharat Rughani (pictured left with Morgan), at a ceremony on Friday March 18, and praised the profession's involvement.

'It's good to see an optometrist winning a clinical governance award,' said Morgan. 'This is good for the optical profession and good for patients.

I am delighted for Mr Rughani and his team.'

Rughani said he was pleasantly surprised to win the award. 'This was a real team effort,' he said. 'And while the practice benefits, it gives our great profession more exposure.'

After receiving the award, he delivered a presentation on the winning project to the 70 health professionals who attended the ceremony in Harrow.

Entrants had to submit a 40-page document outlining specific aspects of their business. In particular they had to demonstrate that equipment is calibrated and checked on a regular basis; practice and NHS literature is available to patients and that all staff members are adequately trained in various parts of optometric practice.