Professional Matters Optometry & Dispensing
ABDO responds to GOC consultation on sight testing, supervision and delegation
ABDO responds to GOC consultation on sight testing, supervision and delegation
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) calls on the General Optical Council (GOC) to protect vulnerable patients by continuing to require the dispensing of spectacles to children and visually impaired people to be supervised in person by a dispensing optician or optometrist.
ABDO has submitted its formal response to the GOC’s consultation on the testing of sight, supervision and delegation. The consultation sought views on two linked proposals that could have significant implications for the future delivery of optical care:
- an updated statement on the testing of sight
- potential changes to the GOC’s standards on supervision and delegation (Standard 9)
In its response, ABDO emphasised that any changes to Standard 9 could have implications well beyond sight testing. The association raised concerns with the GOC and sector stakeholders that the proposed changes may affect wider supervision arrangements across optical practice, including the dispensing of spectacles to children and to people who are registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired.
For these patient groups, ABDO believes certain safeguards must remain face to face because accurate fitting, measurements, adjustments and assessments of comfort require direct observation and immediate practical support. The Association therefore urges the GOC to retain the current requirement that an appropriately qualified registrant must be present on the premises and in a position to intervene when supervising the dispensing of spectacles to children and visually impaired people.
ABDO’s response also included support for innovation that improves patient access and outcomes, while maintaining appropriate safeguards to protect patients and uphold professional standards.
ABDO recognises that digital technologies, remote clinical input and wider use of the optical team may offer benefits in certain circumstances. However, the Association believes the current evidence does not demonstrate that a sight test routinely divided across different people, locations or points in time is equivalent to a conventional sight test delivered as a single episode of care.
The Association supports the delegation of appropriate tasks to suitably trained colleagues but stresses the need for a clear distinction between registered dispensing opticians and unregistered staff. This distinction was considered highly important by 98% of respondents to ABDO’s member survey.
ABDO also highlighted the importance of maintaining clear clinical accountability. The response calls for a named optometrist to remain responsible for the entire sight-testing episode, with robust arrangements in place for handovers, urgent referrals, missed appointments and access to in-person assessments when required.
Addressing the consultation’s proposed approaches to supervision and delegation (Standard 9), ABDO supports option 1, which includes the presence of an appropriate registrant on the premises.
ABDO’s response concluded that any new model of care must be supported by clear safeguards, including named and competent supervisors, accessible in-person alternatives, effective record-keeping and robust escalation procedures.
The Association has also called for the impact of any changes to be formally reviewed within 12 – 24 months of implementation, rather than waiting up to five years, to ensure patient safety, outcomes and potential inequalities can be appropriately monitored and addressed.
Commenting on ABDO’s response, clinical and policy director Max Halford said:
“Feedback from our members demonstrated overwhelming support for maintaining in-person supervision arrangements for children and low vision patients. They recognise that accurate measurements, fitting, adjustment and patient assessment cannot always be replicated remotely.
“We are encouraged that a number of sector partners have also highlighted the importance of preserving these safeguards, giving the GOC a clear message that patient welfare must remain the priority.”
Read ABDO’s full response here.
Read GOC Thematic Summary and links here
Read the full FODO consultation response.
