General
Domains: Leadership & Accountability, Professionalism
No CPD Points
Welcome to Sound Optometry, a podcast from Docet hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with over 20 years’ experience in both high street and hospital settings. Each month, through case studies and in-depth conversations, we explore the topics that matter most to you as an optometrist and are relevant to everyday practice.
Episode 7 - Speaking Up*
Speaking up encompasses the concepts of raising concerns and freedom to speak and overlaps with whistleblowing. It is included in the GOC core competencies for optometrists within Standards of Practice. When an individual becomes aware of a practice or behaviour by colleagues, an employer or other organisations that may put patient or public safety at risk, they have a duty to raise a concern.
In this episode, we hear from a locum optometrist who is uncomfortable with how some practices are overbooking their appointment diaries, leading to insufficient time for infection control and adequate clinical eye examination.
Our producer, Richard Hollingham then speaks to Julie Breen, Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for Tees LOC, who outlines her role within primary care optometry. Michelle then discusses the concept of Speaking up with David Hewlett, Group Director at FODO. The episode will provide the listener with an insight into how Speaking Up applies to optometrists and explains the best practice for dealing with concerns that have been raised.
*At the time of recording, the GOC was in consultation with the profession and other parties about the subject of Speaking Up. The latest guidance Speaking up: guidance for Registrants was updated in June 2025.
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First published: February 2021
Last reviewed: February 2026