Since my letter of March 2, my PCT seem ever more determined to scupper my 'grandfathering' arrangements. They reluctantly conceded the point that a 'grandfather' is not clinically responsible for all the eye tests carried at my practice, but then asked me to confirm that my 'grandfather' is 'at my practice'. They thought that a 'grandfather' must attend the practice despite the regulations clearly stating that a 'grandfather' need not attend that practice ever, let alone regularly!
They then advised me that they still cannot pay the NHS claim this month because there is no authorised signature, despite the fact that I have been counter-signing the forms for the past 10 months - without problem - when a 'non-grandfathering' OO completes a NHS test at my practice.
This time, I was the one under the misapprehension! I thought that the separate agreement with my 'grandfather', which the PCT insisted on seeing before these arrangements went live, 'allowed' me to sign on his behalf. Wrong. The PCT sent the necessary forms: one I sign as the practice owner, the other I sign as the person authorised to sign the forms! I queried whether the PCT needed these forms returned as I cannot imagine any practice owner refusing to authorise himself, but that query fell on deaf ears.
Surely the 'grandfather' should be the only person able to authorise someone else to counter-sign a form on his behalf? After all, I could authorise my tea lady and my 'grandfather' would be none the wiser!
I have duly authorised myself to sign and now hope that the PCT will stop concocting reasons to withhold payment as I am becoming bored with what is fast becoming the 'Granddaddy' of all farces!
David Levy
Radlett, Herts
Omen hits the nail on the head (April 27). As the sight examination is performed as a charitable act, optometrists have to sell ‘designer’ frames at stupid prices in boutique front-of-shop premises. We survive on fashion and image or I should say smoke and mirrors. How can we be seen as professionals doing this?
How long is it before Harry Enfield does ‘I saw you coming’ Opticians?
Max Davison
Malvern, Worcestershire