Student DO suspended

A GOC fitness to practise committee has suspended student DO Syed Shah's registration for 12 months and aims to hold a substantive hearing as soon as possible.

The committee heard that in September 2008 the registrant lied to his employer that he had passed the relevant examinations to hold full registration as a dispensing optician. 'A consequence of this lie was an increase in his salary to reflect his employer's understanding of his qualified status and change in role.'

The committee heard that between September 2008 and December 2009 Shah prepared a number of false and forged documents, including an application form that was purportedly signed by Mark Chandler, head of examinations and registration of ABDO, coupled with misrepresentation to his employer and the GOC.