Boots Opticians awaits whistleblowing verdict

A General Optical Council fitness to practise panel has retired to deliberate a verdict in a misconduct case against Boots Opticians Professional Services.

The committee alleged the multiple failed to ensure protected disclosures relating to clinical concerns raised by a member of staff were managed appropriately. In the allegations, Boots Opticians stood accused of failing to identify the concerns as protected disclosures and then disclosing the identity of the whistleblower to the subject of the disclosures.

The fitness to practise panel heard evidence from Mr A, an optometrist who worked at Boots Opticians practices in Truro and St Austell.

Mr A, who was visibly upset at points during his evidence, told the panel he raised concerns over sight tests performed by a colleague in October 2014. He claimed the records related to an elderly patient showing symptoms of flashing lights, visual field loss and cobweb patterns. According to Mr A, this was a ‘bread and butter’ case for an optometrist and the patient should have been referred for emergency checks.