The College of Optometrists

I am aware that we now have to tell patients the reason that we are referring them, but my collegue thinks that we also have to give the patient a copy of the referral letter. I can't find reference to this either in the Optician'a Act, or in the college guidelines. Has anyone come across this?

you dont have to unless they request it.

as Patrick says -its upto yr discretion, best to ask and see what they want - but it is good practice to give yr px a copy.

We had a discussion about this at our LOC and this is an extract from the GOC regs you may find helpfull!!! Oh joy more bits of paper the patients just file in the bin!

The revised GOS regulations say (Statutory Instrument 2005 No 480):

‘Where a contractor or an ophthalmic medical practitioner or optician assisting him in the provision of general ophthalmic services is of the opinion that a patient whose sight he has tested –

(a) shows on examination signs of injury, disease or abnormality in the eye or elsewhere which may require treatment; or

(b) is not likely to attain a satisfactory standard of vision notwithstanding the application of corrective lenses.

He shall, if appropriate, and with the consent of the patient,

(i) refer the patient to an ophthalmic hospital.

(ii) inform the patient’s doctor or GP practice that he has done so, and

(iii) give the patient a written statement that he has done so, with details of the referral.’

So for NHS tests there is now an obligation to give some level of detail to the patient. A copy of the referral letter is probably the easiest way to meet this obligation.

Thanks Nicola. More paperwork!

More stamps too! Does the NHS give us the money for all the extra paper and ink too?? And the GP's think they are hard done by!!!!

All you need to do is give them the GOS 2 with a brief description of the reason of referral (as recommended by the AOP). This way no stamps and hardly any extra paper work! yippee