That NHS England and the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) were miles apart in their proposals (7 Days) for post-pandemic funding won’t be a surprise but it should be the catalyst for a change in attitude towards dispensing opticians.
For too long, there has been an undercurrent of sneering in some quarters of the profession about the skill and standing of dispensing opticians – even their own membership body did them something of a disservice with the ‘Not just a DO’ communications campaign which played into old stigmas and outdated views.
Quality dispensing opticians will be a lifeline in the coming months and years because they drive revenue – something that will be crucial in the post-pandemic era. Even the most clinically focused practices will need those high value dispenses to shore up bottom lines.
The good news is that dispensing opticians now have the time to shine. Limiting the number of patients in practices allows
dispensing opticians to deliver a consultation that matches what the patients receive in the testing rooms or even better it. Really drill down into what the patient needs from an ophthalmic lens or wake up a dormant diva with a bright, bold frame. Rarely will there be a better opportunity to slow everything down and make the patient feel safe and special.
Two terrific examples of owner optometrists have nurtured the dispensing experience can be found on page 12. What’s clear from speaking to both is that there is real sense of not overwhelming the patient with PPE and safety measures. It’s a fine line between instilling patient confidence in the safety measures and creating an environment where they’re relaxed and happy to talk about additional pairs of glasses. Some practices in recent months have resembled Patrick Bateman’s apartment in American Psycho, not a place where you’d buy designer labels or high-quality independent eyewear brands.
