PRACTICE MATTERS
Developing thoughts In a seemingly mad world, it’s crucial to take time out to recharge, writes Phil Mullins
This way, that way, over there Have you ever had the feeling that you have been invited to the Mad Hatter’s tea party? Where time seems to stand still and everyone around you is stark raving mad and talking absolute gibberish? Then you sit there and think: is it me? Not wanting to be too deep nor too flippant, I believe we have been stuck in a time warp for the last 18 months of the pandemic. The rates of Covid remain high across the world, restrictions keep changing, sometimes without rhyme or reason, and the politicians seem to all be talking at cross purposes. So how are we meant to make sense of it all and keep our focus?
burning yourself out doesn’t do anyone any good – least of all you. I recently took a week’s break to a lovely cottage near Barnard Castle (I was very good and avoided posting Dominic Cummings sight test jokes all over social media) but it was great to take time away, ignoring all emails and phone calls and recharging the batteries. Taking that time out means I’m refreshed and more focused and in a better place, which is good for me and the business. So make sure you take the time you need to recharge.
MOVE TOWARDS HYBRID MODEL I have to declare that I’m not an expert, but from a personal stance we have to make sure that our family, friends and those we work with are all looked after. Not only to keep safe from the virus itself, but to make sure you offer support for those who are struggling. Mental health, thankfully, is no longer stuffed in a cupboard out of the way, so keep an eye and see who may be struggling. This is particularly important if you have staff who have been affected by the virus, who may have had to handle illness, death, self-isolation and much more. There is plenty of help out there, so make sure that no-one is left behind.
TAKING TIME TO RECHARGE You also need to take time for yourself. I know many of you have worked tirelessly through the last 18 months to keep your business afloat and although some businesses have sadly gone, the majority of independent practices are still here and are now doing well. For years, it has been accepted in this country that working long, hard hours is a good thing but in reality,
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Vision Now SEPTEMBER 2021
But how do you move away from the feeling of being stuck in time? In my July article, I spoke about being flexible in practice, be that opening hours, clinic times or products offered – and that certainly will help. But you may need to fundamentally change something or even your entire business model. Much talk in the last year has been around moving independent practice towards a more private model, and that would certainly move you forwards. However, it’s not for everyone and my personal view is that a hybrid structure is where most independents will end up; with payment plans and a focus on private, but still offering some NHS work at set times. More realistic is to focus on expanding one area of your business, such as dry eye clinics, or introducing a new area. This could be behavioural eyecare, independent prescribing or myopia control. There are some truly great products coming to the market in all of these areas. Just take myopia control, which is such an important area for the future vision of our children.
We’re all mad here
New products are coming online all the time and with both contact lens and spectacle lens options, you can offer your patients real choice. It’s a great way to develop not only your business but your team too: you can encourage a dialogue on how to introduce your new specialty, go through the training together, and look at how everyone will be involved in offering the service. You may be surprised at how well people rise to the challenge and get behind something new and exciting. So why not shut out all the gibberish, let the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat do their thing and focus on you and those close to you. Get that right and you’ll make a difference to more than those nearest to you; you’ll make a difference to everyone you come into contact with. But remember to always make time for a sit down and a lovely cup of tea...
