GOC erases optometrist from its register

An optometrist based in Suffolk has been erased from the General Optical Council (GOC) register.

A GOC Fitness to Practise Committee found Jignesh Patel’s fitness to practise impaired by reason of his conviction of the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

The Committee chaired by Julia Wortley said: ‘The Committee accepted that the Registrant stated his intention was never to speed in a motor vehicle again. The Committee also accepted that many people who know the Registrant are prepared to work with him again and that those people appear to understand and forgive his actions.

'However, the Committee was of the view that the wider public would be very concerned that a professional optometrist had been convicted of such a serious offence, is still serving a sentence and is proposing to return to unrestricted practice.’