Further views needed on FTP rule changes

Concerns raised by the professional associations to proposed changes in the fitness to practise (FTP) rules mean more consultation needs to be made before changes can be implemented, General Optical Council members heard this week.

Papers due to be delivered to Council yesterday (January 26) referred to the change in rule 15 which covers the procedure in the event of case examiners deciding not to refer a case for hearing. The original proposal was that the registrar should have the final say but, according to council papers, objections from the professional associations required an amendment. The Department of Health indicated last July that should such an amendment be made more consultation might be needed. The GOC has since received explicit legal advice that it should consult on the change.