In Focus: Making top-down improvements

Areas where the General Optical Council (GOC) could improve were identified in its Stakeholders Perception report 2022.

While over two thirds (69%) felt the frequency the GOC communicates with them was ‘about right’, some viewed its responsiveness to communication as a weakness while others raised concerns over limited input from patients and the public. The GOC highlighted that it has appointed a new head of communications and a head of strategy, policy and standards, set to join in early 2023, to keep ahead of political, social and other developments.

The GOC said it would review its communication strategy, ensuring communication and consultation activities are being prioritised and planned effectively, and embed a process for the involvement of public, patients’ and patient organisations’ engagement in the GOC’s work. Recently, it met with several patient organisations in relation to its call for evidence on the Opticians Act, and plans to carry out further patient research over the next few months.