General Optical Council

GOC position on proposed apprenticeship standard

We understand that there are widespread concerns about the development of an optometry apprenticeship standard and we would like to explain our role and how this relates to that of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Trailblazer Group involved in developing the proposed standard.

GOC statement on University of Portsmouth Masters of Optometry programme

The General Optical Council (GOC) has issued notice of their intention to withdraw provisional approval for the University of Portsmouth’s Masters of Optometry programme.

GOC announces the departure of Director of Strategy Alistair Bridge and the appointment of Leonie Milliner as Senior Education Adviser

The General Optical Council (GOC) has announced that Director of Strategy, Alistair Bridge, will be leaving in February to become Head of Strategy at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

GOC erases Harrow based student optometrist

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to erase Deepa Acharya, a student optometrist based in Harrow, from its register.

GOC suspends Hertfordshire based optometrist

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to suspend Bansi Shah, a registered optometrist based in Hertfordshire

GOC suspends Hertfordshire based dispensing optician

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to suspend Nimesh Patel, a dispensing optician based in Hertfordshire, from its register for twelve months.

Dr Subo Shanmuganathan steps down as Interim Director of Education

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today announced that Dr Subo Shanmuganathan has stepped down from her role as Interim Director of Education.

News from Council 13 November 2019

Council agreed the implementation plan for the Education Strategic Review (ESR), which is split into three stages: key deliverables, provider readiness and implementation.

GOC suspends Manchester based optometrist

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to suspend Francisca Gracia Ruiz, an optometrist based in Manchester, from its register for six months.

Principles for good practice issued to protect patients online

The GOC, along with other Healthcare organisations including regulators, royal colleges and faculties, have issued a set of principles to help protect patient safety and welfare when accessing potentially-harmful medication online or over the phone.