General Optical Council

Bodies corporate and protected titles

1. Who can register as a body corporate?
2. How can I use a 'protected' title in a business or trading name when forming a limited company
3. How can I register my company as a body corporate, if I am not using a protected title?
4. Can I own an optical business if I am not a registered optician?

Careers and training

1. Where can I get more information about training to become a dispensing optician or optometrist?
2. Where can I train to become a dispensing optician or optometrist?
3. How can I find a pre-reg supervisor?

Council

1. How can I attend a Council meeting?
2. How can I access papers and minutes of Council meetings?
3. How are Council members appointed?

Freedom of Information and Data Protection

1. What can I request under the Freedom of Information Act?
2. Will I be able to get any personal information I want?
3. Who can request information?
4. How do I make a request?
5. Will I be able to get any information I want?
6. What are the cost limits for a Freedom of Information Act request?
7. How quickly will I receive a response?
8. Can the GOC charge me if I make a request for my personal information?
9. The GOC holds information about me. How can I get hold of it?
10. I've made a request for my personal details. How long does this take?

Hearings

1. Where can I find details on past and future hearings?
2. How can I attend a hearing?

Making complaints

1. How can I make a complaint about an optician?

Media enquiries and publications

1. Who deals with media enquiries at the GOC?
2. How can I get permission to use the GOC logo?
3. How can I get access to the Council's image library?
4. How can I get hold of GOC publications, such as the Annual Report and Bulletin?
5. What other accessible formats of publications do you supply?

Payments, invoices and suppliers

1. How do I get an invoice paid?
2. Who should I make a cheque payable to?
3. How can I find out about supplying goods and services to the GOC?

Professional guidance and standards

1. I want to start a business selling spectacles and/ or contact lenses. What guidance is there?
2. What is the GOC doing to stop Internet traders selling spectacles/ contact lenses?
3. I have a question about GOS vouchers, who should I contact?
4. How can I find out if a laser eye surgery clinic is reputable?

Registration

1. As a registrant, how can I demonstrate to my patients that I am GOC registered?
2. Can I have a copy of my registration certificate?
3. How do I tell you about a change of address?
4. How can I tell you about a change of name?
5. What is my GOC number?
6. How can I get a copy of the opticians register?
7. What insurance is required for registration?

Registration for overseas applicants

1. Do students and supervisors in the Republic of Ireland have to be registered with the GOC?
2. I gained my qualifications outside the UK. How do I register to practise?

Revalidation

1. Who benefits from revalidation?
2. How might it work?
3. What about cost?

Sight tests and prescriptions

1. Am I entitled to my spectacle prescription?
2. Am I entitled to my contact lens prescription?
3. Can I take my prescription to another optician after a sight test?

Working for the Council

1. What are the benefits of working for the GOC?
2. How can I find out about working for the General Optical Council?