GOC suspends student OO

A student optometrist who admitted falsifying five patient records for the purpose of his assessment has had his registration suspended for three months by a GOC fitness to practise committee.

William Joseph Byrne confessed to allegations that he had submitted false records for one patient during his quarter one competency assessment and then for two patients in his second quarter competency assessment. He also prepared false records for two other patients for his third quarter competency assessment.

When deciding on an appropriate sanction, the committee took into account that Byrne made a 'full and frank' admission at the first possible opportunity and that 'deficiencies in his pre-registration supervision may have affected his judgement'. It also noted Byrne's 'evident remorse' and references and testimonials to his previous good character and conduct.