Student optometrist suspended for falsifying records

The GOC has suspended a Birmingham-based student optometrist for nine months after being found to have falsified patient records.

The GOC Fitness to Practice Committee found Shahid Sujawal’s fitness to undertake training was impaired by reason of misconduct after he admitted to allegations of amending patient records with false information at a later date during 2018.

Concerns were initially raised by the College of Optometrists after patient records were submitted for assessment as part of studies.

The committee said that Sujawal had shown insight when reflecting on his dishonest actions and has since considered the potential impact his misconduct could have had on patient safety. As continued risk to the public was low and there was no evidence of any repetitive behaviour since the 2018 incidents, suspension without review was considered an appropriate, proportionate penalty.