GOC raises fees amid jump in complaints

A heated debate on the cost of registering with the General Optical Council has resulted in higher fees for optical professionals but the regulator knows it must now improve its disciplinary process and evolve standards.

The registration fee was set at £310 for 2015/16, an increase of £20 for optometrists, dispensing opticians and bodies corporate. It follows a £30 rise for registrants last year after three years without increase.

Rising numbers of fitness to practise (FTP) complaints have been reaching the GOC, which has strived to make its FTP system more efficient through new rules introduced in April (News 04.04.14). The new rules included appointing case examiners and were designed to reduce the workload of the investigation committee.