The College of Optometrists

11 May 2006

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The College and the GOC have today agreed a way forward to enable students affected by industrial action to proceed to supervised practice. The GOC has endorsed the College’s proposal to temporarily suspend part of its regulations relating to enrolment for pre registration training. The interim arrangements have been designed to ensure both public safety and fair treatment for all trainees.

The suspension will remain in force until the resolution of this year’s industrial action and the subsequent awarding of degree results. If, on confirmation of degree class, any trainee registered and practising under supervision as a result of this suspension has failed to obtain at least a second-class degree, the trainee will immediately be removed from the Scheme.

The College will issue additional guidance for supervisors of students whose university results are not known. This will require supervisors to offer enhanced supervision for those students who have not been informed of their degree results.

Bryony Pawinska, College Chief Executive commented, “The College understands the plight of this year’s final year students who, through no fault of theirs, may suffer a delay in receiving their degree classification and therefore to their eligibility to join the College Scheme for Registration. We have proposed a solution that ensures patients’ safety – a priority for the College – while at the same time meeting the needs of employers to provide a full service to their patients.”

Peter Coe, Chief Executive of the GOC said, “We are pleased to have been able to work with the College to find a solution to this issue. Pre-registration students play an important role in delivering eye care, so it’s vital that they are able to continue to provide this service to patients safely.”

The plans have received support from the AOP, ABDO and FODO.