Tender for GOC complaints service

The General Optical Council has invited potential providers to express their interest in managing an independent complaints service.

Patients of optical care and the clinicians that provide it can access free, GOC-funded complaint mediation through the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS). Since April 2014 OCCS has been administered by the law firm Nockolds Solicitors.

A GOC spokesperson explained: 'In line with good practice we are retendering to ensure value for money. This is not any reflection on the service provided by Nockolds and they are entitled to submit a proposal.'

Although subject to change, the timetable included with the document specifies that the new contract will commence on April 1, 2020 after the invitation to tender process.