Optometrist cleared by GOC

A fitness to practise committee has cleared optometrist Michael Nightingale of allegations that his fitness to practise was impaired.

Nightingale was accused of failing to undertake certain examinations or complete adequate records on examining a patient on April 24, 2006. He admitted that he did not complete adequate records and failed to complete some core competencies in an assessment.

The GOC panel said the deficiencies were significant and it was not satisfied they were fully addressed, but it recognised no actual harm came to patients and Nightingale had made significant efforts to address them. He received a one-year warning on adhering to record keeping standards.