Feedback is being sought from the profession by the General Optical Council (GOC) on potential rule changes designed to speed up the fitness to practise (FTP) process.
The current system, which the GOC acknowledged was beleaguered by antiquated procedures, means that some cases are not processed quickly enough. In its public paper on proposals to eradicate unnecessary delay in FTP processes, the GOC cited the 'absence of case management systems and insufficient staff numbers' as factors for this.
The Council recently agreed to a number of proposals made by its director of regulatory services David Howell to reduce the time taken in investigating cases from an average of 16 months (News 04.02.11). These included the introduction of a fast-track system for simple cases, an electronic case management system and a staff post to be reallocated to investigations.
Howell said: 'Our current rules came into effect in June 2005 so it is now time to make sure they still reflect good practice and are fair and effective for both registrants and the public. We want everyone whom the changes may affect to have the chance to influence them.'
One of the main proposals is that two case examiners would decide whether to refer allegations for an FTP hearing. Currently, decisions are made by the nine-member investigation committee.
Other proposals include allowing the GOC to screen out anonymous complaints, fast-track allegations involving serious criminal convictions and notify a registrant's current employer of the outcome of a hearing. Another proposal is to begin using Section 13(b) of the Opticians Act 1989 to obtain High Court orders to compel third parties to provide information when requested.
The consultation document can be downloaded from www.optical.org. For enquiries call 020 7307 3452 or email kpunchihewa@optical.org