Optometrist suspended for unauthorised cancellations

A Hounslow-based optometrist has been suspended for three months by the General Optical Council after their fitness to practise was impaired by reason of misconduct.

Karina Gahir’s suspension related to the unauthorised cancellation of patients’ appointments and cancelling appointments with another employee’s expired Pin.

A fitness to practise committee heard that in October and November 2020, while working at Vision Express, Gahir sent text messages to several patients to cancel appointments without the patient’s or the store’s authorisation.

The committee said the registrant’s actions were dishonest and inappropriate, and she admitted to all parts of the allegation.