Theme 4 - legal responsibilities of an optometrist Flashcards
what is the regulator for optometry?
the general optical council
who does the GOC publish registers for?
publishes registers for
-optometrists
-opticians
-student optometrists
-student dispensing opticians
-speciality practitioners
-optical businesses
what are your responsibilities to the GOC?
-you have to be registered with them to train or practise
-you have to tell them is there’s a problem with your physical/ mental health that may affect your ability to train or to practise
-you have to tell them if you have any criminal convictions, cautions or ongoing investigations
what can the GOC do if something goes wrong in your career?
-erasure
-suspension
-conditional registration
-financial penalty
what are General Ophthalmic services (GOS)?
NHS eye care provided in optical practises
what are Hospital Eye Services (HES)?
NHS eye care provided in hospital eye departments
What does the GOC do?
-sets standards for educating and training, performance and conduct
-approves qualifications for registration
-investigates allegations that a registrant’s fitness to practise or to train is impaired
what general ophthalmic services in the UK do optometrists have to be accepted on to?
-ophthalmic performers list of NHS England
-combined list of a health board in Wales
-GOS list of health and social services board in northern Ireland
-ophthalmic list of a health board in Scotland
What does safeguarding mean?
-keeping people safe from abuse,
neglect or harm
-knowing what to do if you think anyone is at risk of these
say you have an angry patient for whatever reason, how can you resolve the problem quickly before it becomes a complaint?
-respond quickly
-be understanding and empathetic
-apologise
-do not admit liability
-if needed, get legal advice fromn insurer immediately
what is a tort? give examples
a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act
-nuisance
-trespass
-defamation
what other complaints could complaints about you go through?
-employer
-NHS
-trading standards
-citizens advice bureau
-optical consumer complaints services
-solicitor
how long after knowing of negligence does a claim need to be brought forward
within 3 years
what is the definition of fitness to practise for optoms?
meeting the standards of health, character, knowledge, skill and behaviour necessary to practise optometry or dispensing optics safely and effectively
what does medical malpractise insurance cover you against? what does it not cover?
only covers against negligence claims
doesn’t automatically legal defence for complaints to NHS, OCCS or GOC
