Regulator tasks GOC to improve FTP process

In an annual performance review of the General Optical Council's work (GOC), the Council for Healthcare Medical Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) said that it was disappointed with the GOC's rate of progress in a number of areas identified in last year's review.

However the significant amount of work undertaken by the Council to address those areas was recognised by the CHRE. The GOC was also commended for its system of identity checks for student registrants and for taking action against online retailer Vision Direct for selling contact lenses outside the requirements of the Opticians Act.

After what it described as a difficult year for the GOC due to changes in leadership, Council membership and senior staff the CHRE said that in next year's review it would like to see what progress has been made in the following areas: