The College of Optometrists

19 November 2007

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The General Optical Council (GOC) has welcomed the publication of the Health and Social Care Bill, particularly the creation of the new Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (OHPA) to hear ‘fitness to practise’ (disciplinary) cases referred by the health professional regulators.

At its meeting in June, the GOC gave its formal support to transferring responsibility for hearings to the OHPA at the earliest opportunity. Rosie Varley, chairman of Council said: “The move to an independent adjudication body is in line with best practice to ensure that registrants’ human rights are protected and that all parties can continue to expect fair, impartial treatment. In the longer term, shared adjudication should mean more consistent fitness to practise decisions across the healthcare professions.”

The Council meets next week in Edinburgh, where members will discuss the implications of the Bill and other Government proposals for reforming healthcare professional regulation.