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Police probe 'cheating' optician Police probe 'cheating' optician
(about 2 hours later)
The police are investigating an optician alleged to have cheated the health service out of £110,000.The police are investigating an optician alleged to have cheated the health service out of £110,000.
The locum optician, who has a practice in Scotland, examined the eyes of elderly people in NI care homes.The locum optician, who has a practice in Scotland, examined the eyes of elderly people in NI care homes.
He seemed to check an unusually high number in a given day. NI's four health boards re-tested hundreds and found many were given unnecessary glasses.He seemed to check an unusually high number in a given day. NI's four health boards re-tested hundreds and found many were given unnecessary glasses.
The optician was fined £1,000, struck off the NI ophthalmic list and reported to the General Optical Council.The optician was fined £1,000, struck off the NI ophthalmic list and reported to the General Optical Council.
The head of Dental and Ophthalmic services in the Eastern Board, Will Maxwell, said the board undertook routine monitoring of payment claims. The Eastern Health Board, Northern Ireland's biggest health board, has declined to name the optician due to ongoing legal action.
The head of Dental and Ophthalmic services in the eastern board, Will Maxwell, said the board undertook routine monitoring of payment claims.
"When our board optometrist obtained records and went out and examined patients herself, what she discovered was that he was not recording details in his clinical records that would have been appropriate for patients who had various conditions," he said."When our board optometrist obtained records and went out and examined patients herself, what she discovered was that he was not recording details in his clinical records that would have been appropriate for patients who had various conditions," he said.
It is understood 645 elderly people had been examined by the optician in about 36 nursing and residential homes in Northern Ireland.It is understood 645 elderly people had been examined by the optician in about 36 nursing and residential homes in Northern Ireland.
Mr Maxwell said hospital optomists were subsequently employed by the board to visit the homes and offer eye examinations to everyone the optician had dealt with.Mr Maxwell said hospital optomists were subsequently employed by the board to visit the homes and offer eye examinations to everyone the optician had dealt with.
The health boards are also trying to recover £110,000 they estimate he overclaimed.The health boards are also trying to recover £110,000 they estimate he overclaimed.
The optician is no longer working in Northern Ireland.The optician is no longer working in Northern Ireland.