GOC reviews cocaine case

The case of a dispensing optician who admitted nearly two years ago to being a cocaine user is to be reviewed by the General Optical Council's fitness to practise committee on October 17.

Nathan Ryan of Chester once admitted to using £1,200 of the drug in a single week and was given a conditional registration order under which he was required to undergo a series of random drug tests (Optician November 17, 2006).

A former DO at Specsavers in Birkenhead, Ryan was first suspended and then dismissed by his employers for 'gross misconduct' after admitting his habit.

The review panel will be told on October 17 how Ryan has fared since the imposition of the conditional registration and will consider whether he can return to unrestricted practice if 'nothing untoward' emerges.