Russell Ambrose happy to comply with new GMC rules

A laser surgery boss has flagged up new GMC guidance on cosmetic intervention that will impact optometrists.

Optimax and Ultralase chairman Russell Ambrose said this week optometrists can no longer be the primary source of consultation and informed consent for refractive surgery patients owing to the new rules.

He said from June 1, optometrists working to outdated protocols could find themselves vulnerable to being drawn in to a doctor’s negligence claim as a witness in cases where informed consent is deemed invalid.

Ambrose told Optician: ‘New GMC rules stating that a surgeon must only perform a refractive surgery on a patient that they have personal consulted with prior to the day of surgery and allowed a sufficient “cooling of”’ period.