Dispensing optician Ronald James Preedy from Wallington in Surrey has been erased from the register of dispensing opticians by a fitness to practise committee of the General Optical Council.
Preedy had already been convicted of defrauding the NHS of £50,000 to £65,000 (News 20.04.07) by routinely carrying out sight tests and claiming fees from health trusts including Bromley, Croydon and Kingston PCTs.
According to the GOC, his business, Preedy Family Opticians domiciliary service, served a number of care homes and day care centres in south-east England. It stated that most of the patients involved were elderly and potentially vulnerable.
The GOC alleged Preedy had tested the sight of patients while not registered as an optometrist, an ophthalmic medical practitioner, a medical student or a student optometrist.
The committee said Preedy forged the signature of Dr Moustafa Yaqub on GOS1 and GOS3 forms, made false claims for payment for sight test examinations and for the supply of prescriptions.
Preedy also failed to declare he was the subject of a criminal investigation application for retention forms dated January 19, 2006 and December 21, 2006.
He also failed to declare his conviction, at Southwark Crown Court in 2007, of nine counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception, for which he was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment suspended for two years, on an application for retention in December 2007.
In finding Preedy guilty of misconduct, the committee voiced concern at his 'complete lack of recognition as to the seriousness of his conduct', saying he was 'clearly in denial'.