General Optical Council

GOC to launch enhanced retention process for 2010-11

The GOC will launch an improved retention process for the 2010-11 renewal period. Practitioners renewing their registration for 2010-11 will benefit from enhancements to the retention process, including:

• Track the status of your application online, via the registrants’ area on www.optical.org. Registrants will receive confirmation at each stage of the process: when their retention form has been received by the GOC, when the application has been processed, and when the payment has been taken.
   
• A more user-friendly application form. The retention form is being redesigned to make it clearer and easier for registrants to complete.
   
• Improvements to internal systems will speed up the processing of applications, offering registrants a more efficient service.

GOC Registrar and Chief Executive, Dian Taylor said: “The changes to the GOC retention system are designed to improve the overall experience of retention for all registrants. Being able to track their application should give practitioners reassurance about their retention. We are encouraging registrants to make use of the new system once it goes live, and in particular to ensure contact details such as email addresses, are updated.”

Retention packs will be posted out to all fully-registered optometrists, dispensing opticians and bodies corporate in December 2009. Practitioners and businesses must complete and return their forms, along with payment, by 15 March 2010.

To access the new registrant’s area of the website, registrants will need to provide the GOC with a valid email address. Details on how to log in to the website will be included in the retention pack posted out in December. Information on using the system will also be available on the GOC’s website.

Postal advice: Due to current disruptions to the postal service, registrants are advised to return their retention applications by recorded delivery.
 

© Copyright 2012 General Optical Council