Manchester optometrist suspended from GOC register for six months

A Manchester based optometrist has been suspended from the GOC register for six months.

Francisca Gracia Ruiz was found to have her fitness to practise impaired by a GOC Fitness to Practise committee by reason of misconduct relating to shoplifting.

Chaired by James Kellock, the Committee said: ‘These were serious acts of dishonesty by a professional person. The Registrant had three opportunities to pay for the trousers and cardigan but had not done so. In addition, the Registrant when initially confronted claimed to have paid for the trousers and later offered to pay for them.’

The Committee decided that a period of suspension was an appropriate sanction for this case.