ABDO and the NHS

Dispensing Opticians and the National Health Service
Counter Fraud

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Dispensing Opticians and the National Health Service

Dispensing Opticians (DO's) play a significant role in providing eyecare to patients throughout the UK. As well as having a very considerable presence in the high street at primary care level DO's are also to be found working in the Hospital Eye Service, some on a full time basis but the majority undertaking a number of clinics per week outside of their normal working environment.

There are just over 4500 DO's working in Practices throughout the country. Of these nearly 2000 are qualified to fit contact lenses. Others may specialise in paediatric dispensing or Low vision. Whether specialising in one of the above or not all DO's have a duty of patient care and a responsibility to refer patients to either an Optometrist or their GP if they observe any condition or potential condition requiring attention. In urgent cases they may refer straight to a Hospital.

This Association enjoys a good although sometimes frustrating working relationship with the Department of Health. We believe that DO's should have a formal recognised position as Health Care Professionals rather than the informal almost ad hoc arrangements which are currently in place.

We are signatories to and enthusiastic supporters of the Counter Fraud Charter and are regarded as key partners in this area, yet we are not recognised when it comes to financial support for our continuing education and training programme which all members will have to participate in, in order to maintain their GOC registration. This is particularly frustrating as optometrists who are also registered with the GOC receive substantial Government support. It is time for such anomalies in the Healthcare professions to sorted out. The Government has stated that it wishes to see artificial barriers between the professions broken down. This is one area where it can be easily achieved.

Local Optical Committees.

Every local health authority (PCT) has or has in conjunction with its neighbouring trust, a local optical committee.

Up until now DO's have been excluded from membership even though DO practice owners have had to pay the statutory levy to these committees (taxation without representation). In a number of areas DO's have been invited to attend despite the rules.

Recent discussions at the Department of Health have resulted in new draft rules being prepared which gives DO's observer status on every LOC.

Full representation is still denied to us because of our lack of status with the Department. We clearly need to get this situation rectified.

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Counter Fraud

The Association signed the Government's Counter Fraud Charter in 2000.

ABDO play an active role in supporting the Government's aims in a variety of ways. We are represented on the strategic implementation group which pioneers work in the counter fraud area.

We regularly remind our members of their responsibility to help prevent patient fraud in relation to both the eye examination as well as the use of optical vouchers. We also remind our members that they also must be meticulous in their record keeping and to avoid any action which could be construed as fraudulent or condoning fraud. There can be no place in the profession for those who cheat the system.

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