The majority of the optical profession would be in favour of the General Optical Council (GOC) establishing a differential registration fee structure according to a GOC update on its current consultation on registration.
Considering whether to amend its schedule of registration and retention fees, the GOC is seeking views on a range of possible options (News 24.07.09). As of August 25, it had received 37 submissions, 36 of which were from individual optometrists, dispensing opticians and employers. Twenty seven of 33 responses to the question of differential fees were supportive of the issue, with six submissions against the proposal, primarily on the basis that all registrants have the same rights so should pay the same fee.
According to the GOC most submissions supportive of a differential fee structure were in favour of DOs paying a lower fee than OOs, or that DOs, new registrants and part-time workers all pay a lower fee. The primary reasons given for DOs paying the lower fee were their lower earning potential in comparison to OOs and the higher costs they incur, particularly in relation to CET.
On the issue of staged payments, 21 of 36 submissions thought this was very or extremely important, because it was important to provide flexibility for registrants and that it was unreasonable to expect registrants to pay a single fee up front.
A small majority, 19 of 36 responses felt there should be an additional charge for those using paper-based retention, principally as an incentive to registrants to adopt the online retention system.
There was also no clear view on whether a one-off fee for speciality registration was appropriate. Sixteen of 30 submissions felt such a fee would seem reasonable and justified by the processing required, while 14 submissions did not accept that it was reasonable or seemed petty.
The GOC board was due hear a report on the progress of the consultation process during a meeting (September 23) held as Optician went to press. The consultation on differential fees opened on July 17, and the deadline for responses is October 9.
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