GOC debates shake-up of FTP procedures

Issues surrounding fitness to practise (FTP), including proposals on criminal prosecution and the eradication of unnecessary delay in FTP processes, were the principal focus of discussion at the General Optical Council (GOC) meeting on January 27.

Current FTP procedure had come in for criticism from the profession on a number of occasions in recent months. The Association of Optometrists' chief executive Bob Hughes attacked the GOC's attitude towards students and the high number of FTP cases that were brought against them in October 2010. In January 2011 Hughes told Optician that a successful appeal in the High Court by an optometrist against the findings of a GOC FTP committee would see the GOC change the way FTP works (News 28.01.11).