The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has launched a new legal drama film, On the record: a complaint has been made, which aims to better inform members of the legal risks of running and working in a busy optical practice.
The film presents a practice-based scenario covering a variety of issues including practice scheduling of sight tests/eye examinations, maintaining accurate records, dealing with missed appointments, workplace bullying and receiving a General Optical Council (GOC) complaint. The drama is followed by a discussion between the AOP’s legal and regulatory director, Gerda Goldinger and deputy legal director, Fiona Mitchell, on the issues seen in the film and the steps practitioners should take to prevent a similar occurrence.
The film has been based on the script of the 2015 AOP legal roadshows. Commenting on the conversion of the script to a film, Gerda Goldinger said: “The issues raised in the film are examples of some of the many matters that the AOP legal department deals with on a daily basis. In 2015 the AOP’s in-house legal team received more than 3,800 enquiries, a 32 per ecnt increase from 2014. It is more important than ever for us to inform members of potential legal pitfalls when practising and the standards to which eye care professionals are expected to adhere. In reproducing the script as a short film we significantly increase the amount of members who can access our advice.”
The film has been funded through generous donations from the Central Optical Fund and the original Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS). Ruth Cuthbert, Chairman of the Central Optical Fund said: “The Central Optical Fund is pleased to support the AOP in the making of this film. It will help to highlight the effect that commercial pressures can have on the delivery of high quality patient care throughout all forms of practice.”
Richard Wilshin, company secretary of the original OCCS, said of their donation: “We are delighted that our donation from the assets of the original OCCS has helped to support this video for the benefit of those in optics.”
The film can be viewed online by AOP members and OT subscribers from 1 July to 29 December 2016. One non-interactive CET point is available for optometrists and dispensing opticians.
A trailer for the film is available to watch at https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/professional-support/aop/2016/07/01/aop-launches-legal-film. The full length film can be viewed at https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/cet/2016/06/13/on-the-record-a-complaint-has-been-made or accessed via a link from the Central Optical Fund website www.centralfund.org.uk.