Concern voiced over rise in clinical care complaints

In its annual report on a range of GOC activities, chairman of the investigating committee, Dick Roberts, announced a rise in 'clinical/patient care' complaints from 56 to 83, whereas other types of complaints had stayed the same, or had fallen. 'The significant increase in clinical/ patient care complaints is viewed with concern,' said Mr Roberts. In his annual statement on behalf of the committee, Mr Roberts commented: 'The profession must be constantly reminded of the need to properly fund this service - by whatever means - and be aware of the valued service provided to both patient and practitioner.' In his final annual report statement, chairman David Burt, who was succeeded by Rosie Varley in January, said that 1998 had seen a significant step forward for the GOC, with proposals in the Queen's Speech to extend its powers. Professor Geoffrey Woodward, outgoing chairman of the education committee, warned that the numbers of undergraduate students studying optometry would have doubled in a decade, and this would force changes in the present pre-registration year and the PQE examinations. The College of Optometrists had given notice that it wished to update the examination, he commented. 'More degree courses in dispensing optics are also coming into being,' he said. 'And the vexed question of the registration of optometrists from outside the European Union will again be considered, with the possible introduction of a revised preliminary examination.' Bob Chappell, chairman of the professional conduct committee, stated that it was hoped new rules on referral would be settled next month.