The College of Optometrists

The GOC will propose that it reduces the size of its Council to a maximum of 13 members. The move is in line with the Government’s recommendation in its recent White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety, for regulatory governing bodies to become smaller and more ‘board-like’. Members agreed that a smaller Council will allow for more effective decision-making. GOC chairman Rosie Varley thanked members for their contribution to “an historic meeting of Council”. Further work on the structure of Council and committees will be taken forward by the governance work stream of the GOC’s White Paper implementation project group.

 

Following the publication of the Government’s White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety, the General Optical Council agreed to form a project board to lead and coordinate implementation activities. Work streams will feed into the board, dealing with work within four themes, of ‘governance’, ‘revalidation’, ‘tackling concerns’, and ‘registration’.

 

At its meeting of 22 March, the Council accepted the revised guidance of the College of Optometrists and ABDO relating to the sale, supply and fitting of contact lenses, including plano lenses. The revised guidance is consistent with QC opinion received by Council on requirements relating to ‘general direction’ and ‘supervision’. Guidance on the supply of spectacles is currently under review by the professional bodies.