Warning of £50k fines

Questions arising from the amendments to the Opticians Act were addressed by a legal insider on new optical legislation at FODO's agm this week.

Judith Chrystie, partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse, made the keynote presentation at the Federation's meeting on Tuesday (May 17).

Chrystie: advice to employers

She told the audience of the important changes regarding registration, CET, and fitness to practise which are being introduced via the GOC's section 60 order.

New disciplinary or 'fitness to practise' allegations will now include 'instigation of practices amounting to misconduct or deficient performance' specifically aimed at businesses. She also confirmed that a financial penalty order has been increased from £1,600 to a maximum of £50,000.

However, regarding contact lens changes, Chrystie stated that there were some ambiguous phrases which were yet to be fully tested in case law.

A full article on Chrystie's presentation will appear in a future edition of Optician.