Mentoris writes: Getting back to it

Over the past few weeks, I have re-instated the in-person peer-to-peer meetings that I organise for my clients, had 121 coaching sessions face-to-face, attended the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers Livery Dinner and, over last weekend, presented and ran a workshop at the Sightcare Conference for independents. Without exception, it became abundantly clear that what we have come to think of as normal is not normal at all, in fact quite the opposite.

It has already been reported that over lockdown, many practices have discovered that some of the enforced changes are actually quite beneficial. Changes such as introducing collection appointments, wearing masks or scrubs and spending longer with each patient have produced improved performance. Patient feedback scores have, in many cases, improved, with patients reporting that the visit was more personalised and that, as a result, a better solution could be provided which matched the needs or the visual problems that needed solving.