General Optical Council Releases New Fitness to Practice Document

general optical council fitness to practice guidelines

The General Optical Council has recently launched new guidelines regarding the fitness to practice of GOC registrants. The updated rules and regulations regarding optometrists, opticians and other eye care specialists is available for complete download from www.optical.org, the GOC's website.

GOC Chief Executive and Registrar, Samantha Peters, explained the value of the guidelines and how they can help employers in the optical industry, "This guidance is designed to equip businesses and individuals with the tools they need to take appropriate action if they have concerns about a registrant’s fitness to practice. It’s our job to provide registrants and employers with relevant information and advice, so they know exactly what is expected of them."

The general focus of the fitness to practice guidelines cover a number of points including:

  • What is expected of those employing registered optometrists and opticians.
  • Guidelines for those employing students.
  • Complaints procedures for the GOC, and what types of complaints they can handle.
  • Confidentiality and how it affects complaints made against employers.
  • Guidelines as to measures which need to be undertaken if registrants display a lack of skills/knowledge or if other issues arise in order to protect their patients.
  • How the GOC can help if internal procedures fail to resolve issues.
  • Obligations of registrars if they believe an issue has been highlighted which means they are unfit to practice.

The General Optical Council is also eager to point out instances where it may be required to immediately contact them regarding a registrars fitness to practice:

  • If internal measures would not be practical.
  • Failure to resolve an issue at a local level.
  • Serious issues which the GOC need to be made aware of.
  • If you are afraid of victimisation or that a cover up may be occurring.

For a full rundown of all matters disclosed in the document, please visit www.optical.org