The General Optical Council has outlined its timetable for implementing any changes resulting from the recent consultation of stakeholders on the next CET cycle beginning January 1 2010.
The deadline for the consultation published on the GOC's website was January 31 2008 and the Council told Optician this week that it had received 171 responses. Views were sought on issues such as whether there should be a cap on the number of CET points earned through modalities such as journal-based assessments.
Commenting on the completion of the consultation, GOC director of education and deputy registrar Dian Taylor told Optician: 'We are very pleased with the level of response to the CET consultation. We are now analysing all the comments and suggestions.
'The Council will then look to proceed with any changes to CET rules that will be effective from 2010 and beyond.'
Looking ahead, the Council said the analysis would be considered by the GOC's CET group on February 21 2008. It is expected that between March and June 2008 the GOC executive will work with solicitors to draft amended CET rules to take effect from January 1 2010.
According to the Council, it expects to draft rules and agree content for public rules consultation during June 2008. The public consultation on the amended rules is planned to take place between June and September 2008.
The responses will then be considered by the Council and by November it will send the revised CET rules to the Department of Health and to the Privy Council to complete the legislative process.