GOC suspends Southampton optometrist

The GOC has suspended Southampton-based optometrist Minal Thaker from its register for four months after her fitness to practise was found to be impaired by reason of misconduct. 

Between 2019 and 2023, Thakrar dishonestly claimed 46 personal expenses - including meals, pizza deliveries to leisure centres, school photographs and other items - as business expenses, totalling £1,722.78. 

Thakrar, who claimed the expenses were made for business meetings when some of the dates were found to coincide annually with family birthdays, has since left her director role and repaid the full amount.