Chris Bennett: Raising the optometry standard

Fear of litigation drives optical standards but patients’ needs shouldn’t be overlooked.

Indifference best describes the emotion expended by most practitioners on the GOC’s new Standards of Practice, certainly if participation in the consultation is anything to go by.

When the new standards, guidelines – not rules – come into force next April practitioners will have signed up to having read and familiarised themselves with them and agreed to abide by them.

The standards are enveloped by a familiar word cloud of respect, honesty, information, consent, confidentiality and communication. The message is: ‘Do a good clinical job and be professional, protect the profession and stay on the right side of the law’.