The Opticians Act and the GOC
Questions and Answers
Opticians Act background - answer Initially passed in 1958
Amended several times since then
Updated act passed 1989 (amendment)
Updated again in 2005 (+supporting rules)
Main functions of the act - answer To provide for the registration of opticians and the
enrolment of bodies corporate carrying on business as opticians
To regulate the practice of opticians
To impose restrictions on the testing of sight and the supply of optical appliances
5 sections of the act - answer Part 1: the GOC
Part 2: Registration and Training of Opticians
Part 2A: Fitness to Practice
Part 3A: Proceedings and Appeals
Part 4: Restrictions on testing of sight, fitting of CLs, sale and supply of optical
appliances and use of titles and descriptions
Part 5: Miscellaneous and Supplementary
Part 1: the GOC - answer Statutory body which regulates dispensing opticians and
optometrists and bodies corporate carrying on business as optometrists or dispensing
opticians
Protects the public and promotes high standards of professional conduct and education
amongst opticians
Council consists of:
-6 lay members
-6 registrant members
-prior to 2009, council had 28 members- reduction due to government recommendation
for constitution of councils
Committees of the GOC - answer Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
The Companies Committee
The Education Committee
The Investigation Committee
Nominations Committee
The Registration Committee
Remuneration Committee
The Standards Committee
Investigation Committee of GOC - answer Private meetings- neither registrants or
complainants are permitted to attend
, Consider case examiner recommendations
Consider cases where examiners do not agree what action should be taken- and where
registrants fail to cooperate with, or submit to, a health or performance assessment
Committee can:
-take no further action
-offer the registrant advice about their future conduct
-ask for further investigation to be carried out (eg assessment of registrants health or
performance)
-give the registrant a warning
-refer the complain to the Fitness to Practice Committee, which will usually hold a public
hearing to decide what action to take
Fitness to Practice Committee - answer Inquiring into and determining allegations
relating to registrants FTP- may decide to hold a procedural hearing if either of he
parties request it
Referrals made by case examiners or Investigations Committee
Procedure followed is similar to that in a criminal court
Part 2: Registration and Training of Opticians- Registration - answer Deal with
registration of optometrists, pre-reg optometrists, student optometrists, DOs etc
Register of bodies corporate carrying on business as an optometrist or DO or both
Insurance for registrants and those applying to be registered
Determine qualifications needed to be registered
Part 2: Registration and Training of Opticians- Training and Qualifications - answer
Requirement for continuing education and training (CET)
Failure to satisfy requirements imposed under a scheme
Education and training
Supervision of training establishments and qualifying assessments
Registration requirements - answer Spent sentences, cautions and any matters
currently under investigation must be declared
Must declare any conviction, caution or investigation in relation to a criminal offence
apart from matters which have been previously declared (unless GOC asks for them to
be declared again)
Declare road traffic offences (speeding, parking fines), except where the matter has
been dealt with by way of a 'fixed penalty notice' as this does not constitute a criminal
conviction
Declare investigations or determinations by any of the other UK health regulatory bodies
as well as by a primary care organisation
Declare any health matters which may currently impair a registrant's FTP
What do you get as a full registrant? - answer Professional indemnity
Access to Continuing Education and Training (CET)
CET - answer All registrants must undertake CET
Questions and Answers
Opticians Act background - answer Initially passed in 1958
Amended several times since then
Updated act passed 1989 (amendment)
Updated again in 2005 (+supporting rules)
Main functions of the act - answer To provide for the registration of opticians and the
enrolment of bodies corporate carrying on business as opticians
To regulate the practice of opticians
To impose restrictions on the testing of sight and the supply of optical appliances
5 sections of the act - answer Part 1: the GOC
Part 2: Registration and Training of Opticians
Part 2A: Fitness to Practice
Part 3A: Proceedings and Appeals
Part 4: Restrictions on testing of sight, fitting of CLs, sale and supply of optical
appliances and use of titles and descriptions
Part 5: Miscellaneous and Supplementary
Part 1: the GOC - answer Statutory body which regulates dispensing opticians and
optometrists and bodies corporate carrying on business as optometrists or dispensing
opticians
Protects the public and promotes high standards of professional conduct and education
amongst opticians
Council consists of:
-6 lay members
-6 registrant members
-prior to 2009, council had 28 members- reduction due to government recommendation
for constitution of councils
Committees of the GOC - answer Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
The Companies Committee
The Education Committee
The Investigation Committee
Nominations Committee
The Registration Committee
Remuneration Committee
The Standards Committee
Investigation Committee of GOC - answer Private meetings- neither registrants or
complainants are permitted to attend
, Consider case examiner recommendations
Consider cases where examiners do not agree what action should be taken- and where
registrants fail to cooperate with, or submit to, a health or performance assessment
Committee can:
-take no further action
-offer the registrant advice about their future conduct
-ask for further investigation to be carried out (eg assessment of registrants health or
performance)
-give the registrant a warning
-refer the complain to the Fitness to Practice Committee, which will usually hold a public
hearing to decide what action to take
Fitness to Practice Committee - answer Inquiring into and determining allegations
relating to registrants FTP- may decide to hold a procedural hearing if either of he
parties request it
Referrals made by case examiners or Investigations Committee
Procedure followed is similar to that in a criminal court
Part 2: Registration and Training of Opticians- Registration - answer Deal with
registration of optometrists, pre-reg optometrists, student optometrists, DOs etc
Register of bodies corporate carrying on business as an optometrist or DO or both
Insurance for registrants and those applying to be registered
Determine qualifications needed to be registered
Part 2: Registration and Training of Opticians- Training and Qualifications - answer
Requirement for continuing education and training (CET)
Failure to satisfy requirements imposed under a scheme
Education and training
Supervision of training establishments and qualifying assessments
Registration requirements - answer Spent sentences, cautions and any matters
currently under investigation must be declared
Must declare any conviction, caution or investigation in relation to a criminal offence
apart from matters which have been previously declared (unless GOC asks for them to
be declared again)
Declare road traffic offences (speeding, parking fines), except where the matter has
been dealt with by way of a 'fixed penalty notice' as this does not constitute a criminal
conviction
Declare investigations or determinations by any of the other UK health regulatory bodies
as well as by a primary care organisation
Declare any health matters which may currently impair a registrant's FTP
What do you get as a full registrant? - answer Professional indemnity
Access to Continuing Education and Training (CET)
CET - answer All registrants must undertake CET
