Associations at loggerheads

Tensions between the General Optical Council and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians have escalated in a row over potential revisions to qualifications as part of the regulator’s Education Strategic Review consultation.

ABDO had previously asked its members to respond to the consultation as it was concerned that the GOC’s classification of the ophthalmic dispensing qualifications would be set at level 5, when the majority of its members have achieved level 6. The organisation argued that the move could result in lower standards due to a lack of independent and rigorous assessments.

In a participation reminder to stakeholders, the GOC’s interim director of education, Dr Subo Shanmuganathan said: ‘We understand that there is some concern about the potential impact of our proposals on the status of current qualifications. In particular, it is important to understand when responding that the current baseline qualification level for an ophthalmic dispensing qualification is level 5 and we are not proposing any change to this minimum requirement.’