General Optical Council

GOC erases Scarborough based dispensing optician

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to erase Rebecca Butler, a dispensing optician based in Scarborough, from its register.

GOC launches ESR consultation on updated education and training requirements

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched its Education Strategic Review (ESR) consultation on proposals to update its requirements for GOC approved qualifications leading to registration as a dispensing optician or an optometrist.

GOC consultation on temporary changes to our Optometry Quality Assurance Handbook

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are consulting on proposed temporary changes to our Accreditation and Quality Assurance Handbook: Routes to registration in Optometry, 2015.

News from Council 15 July 2020

The General Optical Council (GOC) held its second remote Council meeting on Wednesday 15 July which considered a review of the strategic plan, the Education Strategic Review (ESR), temporary changes to optometry education and training requirements, the GOC annual report and the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) Annual Report 2019-2020.

GOC erases London based optometrist

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to erase Arif Chanawala, an optometrist based in London, from its register.

PSA statement on petition to investigate GOC

The Professional Standards Authority has considered the matters raised in the recent petition which requested a special review of the GOC.

Statement on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic

We have published a statement on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GOC welcomes guidance from The College of Optometrists on Leicester and Scotland

We welcome the latest guidance from The College of Optometrists for registrants in Leicester and Scotland.

Response to the petition for the General Optical Council to be investigated for conflict of interest

We are aware of concerns raised by members of the optical sector in a petition on change.org. Please read our response which is linked in this news story.

Revised statement on the re-opening of optical practices

We have revised our statement on the re-opening of optical practices based on feedback we have received. The changes also incorporate new guidance from Government and/or the NHS across the four nations regarding the resumption of optical services and we have worked closely with The College of Optometrists to ensure that our statement and their guidance are aligned.