In Focus: Education review draws fresh criticism

The debate around the General Optical Council’s (GOC) Education Strategic Review (ESR) continued this week with the release of a statement that warned of dangers to patient safety and public confidence. Jointly released by the Association of Optometrists (AOP), the College of Optometrists and the Optometry Schools Council (OSC), the statement took aim at the ESR over its lack of clarity on funding for education providers.

Launched in July, the ESR aimed to gather views on proposals to update GOC requirements for qualification as an optometrist or dispensing optician. This new joint statement follows the Association of British Dispensing Opticians’ complaints in the past weeks and months, which also noted concerns around funding and clarity (Optician 18.09.20). The GOC’s consultation period on the ESR ends on October 19, with the council aiming to agree its proposals by December.