Operating in safety

Limited dispensing services have been carried out during lockdown in line with government guidance and as lockdown relaxes more patients are likely to return to practices and require a dispensing optician’s skills.

All dispensing services can currently be fulfilled by an optical practice providing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn while following General Optical Council and NHS England guidelines.

GOC standards stipulate that patients can expect to be safe in a practitioner’s care, patient care is delivered in a suitable environment and staff are able to exercise their professional judgement. The GOC has also issued statements on supplying spectacles and contact lenses during the pandemic.