On the record: team under pressure – AOP launches new legal film

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has launched a new legal drama and discussion, On the record: team under pressure, which better equips members working in busy, time-pressured optical practices.

Building on the success of the AOP’s first legal film drama in 2016, On the record: team under pressure, looks at optical work-based issues including the importance of adhering to the General Optical Council’s (GOC) Standards of Practice, managing stress and dealing with heavy workloads.     

From the film, optometrists and dispensing opticians will better understand how to comply with the requirements of GOC registration and how to more easily meet legal obligations when undertaking functions such as sight testing and the supply of optical devices. The drama is followed by a discussion between the AOP’s Legal and Regulatory Services Director, Gerda Goldinger and, Assistant Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, Fiona Mitchell. 

The film narrative is based on the common queries faced by the AOP legal team. Commenting on the film, Gerda Goldinger said: “Last year around one in four members phoned to seek advice from the AOP's in-house legal and regulatory team – the concerns raised in this film are just some examples of the types of matters we manage daily. Almost all members will face one of these issues at some point in their career, which is why having advice that is readily available and easy to access is invaluable to our members.”  

The film has been part-funded through a generous donation from the Central Optical Fund. Ruth Cuthbert, immediate past Chairman of the Central Optical Fund said: “The Central Optical Fund is delighted to support the AOP in the making of this second film on legal issues faced in the profession. The film provides essential advice on a range of areas and the practical steps practitioners should take to provide the best standards of care and how to avoid legal issues. This film, and the 2016 film On the record: a complaint has been made, are great examples of the types of projects the Central Optical Fund would like to get involved with and finance.”

The film can be viewed online by AOP members and OT subscribers from 4 to 27 December 2017 and then from 2 January to 29 June 2018. One non-interactive CET point is available.

There is also an opportunity for optometrists and dispensing opticians to gain one interactive CET point by attending sessions at the Eyecare Conference, 21 January 2018, or at 100% Optical, 27 January 2018. At these events, On the record: team under pressure will be shown, followed by a live question and answer session with the AOP legal team.     

The full-length film can be viewed at www.aop.org.uk/ot/cet or accessed via a link from the Central Optical Fund website www.centralfund.org.uk

Ends

High res images are available via this link. 

For more information, please contact Serena Box, PR and Media Manager, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2063.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists 

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 80% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Central Optical Fund

The Central Optical Fund supports projects promoting, protecting, developing and supporting optometry. It is an Investor in Optometry seeking to protect and maintain the sight and ocular health of the public by promoting the profession. The Fund invites and considers applications for funding optometry related projects in England and Wales. Find more information or make a request for funding for your project at www.centralfund.org.uk