Code concerns raised

Imposing a requirement for registrants to report concerns about their own or a colleague's fitness to practise, as part of the General Optical Council changes to the Codes of Conduct could see an increase in the number of malicious reports.

That was the conclusion of the vast majority of delegates attending the Council's open day in London held last Thursday to discuss some of the changes outlined in the consultation paper on proposed amendments to the Code which ends on April 24 2009.

The event attracted 36 delegates including optometrists, dispensing opticians, representatives from the optical bodies and primary care trusts.

Delegates were split up into groups and asked to discuss scenarios outlining proposals under consideration including: 'What kinds of behaviour, while practising or not, should put a person's registration at risk?'