The College of Optometrists

The College of Optometrists welcomes the recent publication by the Department of Health of the review of the Regulation of the non-medical healthcare professions. We responded to the Call for Ideas last year and are particularly pleased that our comments appear to have been heeded. 

 

At that time, the College argued strongly for the retention of the General Optical Council as the regulatory body for optometry, and provided evidence of the effectiveness of the regulatory framework for optometrists and dispensing opticians. We highlighted the low level of clinical risk in optometry, and the fact that only a very small percentage of optical services are delivered within the NHS, arguing that the present regulatory system is appropriate to the context, effective, and serves patients and registrants well.

 

Chief Executive of the College, Bryony Pawinska commented, “We welcome the publication of the review of the Regulation of the non-medical healthcare professions. In responding to the Call for Ideas last year, the College stressed its view that the current approach to regulation of the profession was both efficient and effective for the public and practitioners alike – we are pleased that this has been reflected in the review.  The review calls for further comments and we will respond to these in due course.”