Thousands expected to miss GOC deadline

The number of practitioners who have missed this week's deadline to be kept on the GOC register is expected to run into the thousands.

Nearly 7,000 retention forms were outstanding on March 10, with less than a week until the March 15 deadline, and despite a last minute rush, the GOC still expected a significant shortfall in applications.

All practitioners were expected to complete, sign and return their forms in order to be kept on the register from April 1.

'With the new requirements for criminal and health declarations and insurance details, it's no longer just a question of making a payment,' said GOC registrar Peter Coe.

'We have to have signed forms back to keep practitioners on the registrar. So even if you pay by direct debit, if you don't return the form, you won't be kept on the register.'

Practitioners can apply to be restored to the register, but this is a 'complicated and more expensive process, which requires additional administration including evidence of CET accreditation,' explained a GOC spokeswoman.

'We would have hoped to be closer to the full registration by now but this is a transition year and people are getting used to the changes,' she said. 'There has been more flexibility in the past but unfortunately, this year if we receive payment but no form we will have to refund the money and take practitioners off the register.'