News

Disciplinary proceedings against a locum optometrist who is accused of failure to treat the case of an elderly patient suffering from 'markedly high' intraocular pressure as an emergency, got underway as Optician went to press (Tuesday).

During the hearing which commenced on Monday, a GOC disciplinary panel was told that the incident happened when Naftali Everard Bastien was working for the day at Specsavers in Fleet, Hampshire.

Bastien now faces allegations of deficient professional performance relating to his 'non-emergency' referral of the 65-year-old woman. Bradley Albuery for the GOC told the hearing: 'During a routine eye examination, an optical assistant measured the patient's IOPs and recorded them. Mr Bastien was aware that they were markedly high.' He added that the optometrist had carried out the sight test, noticed the presence of myopia, diabetes and high blood pressure and had recorded that he wished her to return for further tests.'

The panel was told that Bastien did not record any urgency or refer the patient on an emergency same-day basis, despite noting the high IOPs.

● The hearing continues.

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