Concerns raised over GOC lay appointments

Optical bodies have expressed concerns about the appointment of unelected members to the new GOC board when the Appointments Commission takes over in 2009.

As reported in Optician (March 21), the Council agreed at a meeting in Belfast to reduce the number of board members from 28 to 12, with a parity of professional and lay membership.

The decision followed a government recommendation for healthcare regulatory councils to be smaller and more board-like and for appointments to be made by an external agency.

ABDO general secretary Sir Anthony Garrett, told Optician: 'We are concerned that in future professional members of the GOC will be appointed and not elected. The profession has expressed confidence in members when they are elected to the Council.'