General Optical Council News Update, UK

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 17 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PST

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Optical regulator agrees reconstitution of membership

At its March meeting, Council agreed to initially reduce the number of members to 12, with parity of professional and lay membership. The decision follows Government recommendations that healthcare regulatory Councils become smaller and more 'board-like'. It is expected that the newly-constituted Council will take up office from April 2009. In March 2007, members originally proposed to reduce the number of members from 28 to a maximum of 13, with a lay majority. However, the legislation needed to enable a lay majority of Council members is not expected to be approved until early 2010. Members therefore agreed to a two-step approach to the change, so that an additional lay member can be appointed once the enabling legislation is in place. A smaller Council means members will have a more strategic role, and will enable more effective decision-making.

Council agrees transitional committee membership arrangements

GOC members today agreed a transitional approach to appointing new committee members. Changes to the governance of Council mean that in future Council and committee membership will be separated.

The decision, which was taken at the March meeting of Council, means that committees will be reconstituted, but will be populated with existing members for a transitional period of 12 to 18 months.

The new Council will decide on an appointments process for committees once it is in place from April 2009.

Council will in future be smaller and fulfil a more strategic role, including holding committees and the executive to account.

GOC determines qualities for Council members

Members today gave approval to a person specification for members of a newly-constituted Council, subject to amendments. Attributes of potential candidates will include knowledge and experience of: delivering governance in the public or private sector; financial work in a complex organisation; higher education and training in an optical or non-optical field, and; audit/risk management work in a complex organisation. Final changes to the wording will be made to reflect members' comments. The person specification will then be used by the independent recruiting body responsible for appointing Council members. The GOC anticipate the recruitment process for Council members to begin in Autumn 2008.

Applying the civil standard of proof: Rules consultation approved

Council members today approved a consultation document on changes to the GOC Fitness to Practise Rules, to apply the civil standard of proof. The Health and Social Care Bill is expected to become law in July 2008. As a consequence, all nine UK healthcare regulatory bodies will be required to apply the civil standard of proof in their fitness to practise proceedings. The consultation is only on the rule changes themselves, and is not asking for comments on whether or not the civil standard of proof should be introduced, as this decision has already been made by Government. The GOC currently apply the criminal standard of proof, based on 'beyond all reasonable doubt'. The civil standard is based upon 'the balance of probabilities'. The standard of proof applies only when making decisions on disputed facts. Decisions as to whether actions found proved amount to impaired fitness to practise and what sanction, if any, to apply, will remain matters for the professional judgement of the Panel.

No change to CET post-2010

Members today accepted the recommendation made by the CET Policy and Development Group that no changes would be made to the current CET Scheme. The decision follows the GOC's open consultation on the future of CET post 2010. Respondents took part via the Council's online and written consultation. Some of the key outcomes include:

-- 74% felt that the Scheme should remain a three-year cycle
-- 52% were against having a facility to carry over points to the next cycle
-- 82% did not want a limit on the points gained through distance learning

Other decisions from Council:

i) Revised optometry curriculum approved

Members approved a revised undergraduate optometry core curriculum. Each learning stage reached at degree level now directly relates to the core competencies required for entry to the pre-registration training period. The reformatted curriculum is now presented in a competency-based format to enable regulators in host countries, including the UK, to make easier comparisons with other systems, and assess whether any compensation training is required before a potential registrant can train.

ii) Members agree 2008/9 Business Plan

The GOC business plan for 2008/9 was approved by members. It was agreed that action to protect the public in respect of illegal sales of optical appliances should be identified as a policy priority. The plan outlines key challenges and objectives for the coming year. The work undertaken during this period is concerned with driving forward changes outlined in the Government's White Paper, whilst continuing to carrying out the four core functions across standards; education; registration; and fitness to practise.

iii) Council elect Deputy Chairman and Treasurer

Members elected Geoff Harris and Moira Black to the positions of Council deputy chairman and treasurer respectively. The deputy chairman's duties involve presiding over Council meetings in the absence of the chairman. The treasurer supervises the income and expenditure of the Council.

iv) Revised Handbook for Optometry Training Establishments approved

A revised Handbook for visiting optometry training establishments was approved by members. Council's Education Committee has updated the Handbook which will be used by panels when approving optometry training establishments in the UK.

Financial budget for 2008/9

As agreed at the November meeting of Council, the 2008/9 budget is forecast to operate at a deficit of approximately £225,000. This is due to increased expenditure to implement White Paper changes, including the restructure and appointment of Council and additional legal costs. Further costs are also necessary to ensure the organisation is sufficiently resourced to meet the challenges over the next year. It is the fifth year running that registration fees have not seen any increase (excluding levies). This year's deficit will be funded from Council reserves.

Temporary and occasional registration for EU practitioners

Members formally noted changes to the Registration Rules, allowing temporary and occasional registration of optometrists and dispensing opticians from the EU/ EEA. Two new registers have been established in response to the EU Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, which came into force last year.

Optometrists and dispensing opticians can now register to work in other European countries on a temporary and occasional basis. GOC registrants can apply to provide services by contacting the equivalent optical regulatory body in that country. Anyone using the titles 'optometrist' or 'dispensing optician' who wishes to practise in the UK on an occasional or temporary basis, will have to be registered with the GOC. They will be assessed on competencies, qualifications and experience, and may be asked to complete an aptitude test.

Therapeutic prescribing Rule changes

Council today noted a revised timetable for creating an Independent Prescribing specialty register. Changes to GOC Registration Rules will be finalised in the next few months, to create a new specialty register. Registrants on the Independent Prescribing specialty register will be able to prescribe licensed medicines for ocular conditions affecting the eye and surrounding tissue. Optometrists wishing to become independent prescribers will have to complete GOC-approved training. Once their training is completed, they must apply to have the specialty entered against their name in the register. Specialty practitioners will have to keep their skills up to date by completing additional CET.

About the General Optical Council

The GOC is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Its purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education and conduct amongst opticians. The Council currently registers around 22,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses.

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