Omen writes

Not since the introduction of compulsory CET some six years ago has the General Optical Council hit the headlines as it has in the last three weeks. Initially there was the predictable protest about the rise in retention fees and interestingly the most noise has come from dispensing opticians who came off best with a smaller increase than their fellow optometrists. I cannot remember how many times I have heard that DOs should be treated with kid gloves because they have threatened not to renew their registration.

The reality is that registration is important to them because of the protection of title and the rightful recognition it gives to their profession. Similarly their continued whinge about CET funding continually ignores the fact that optometrists are part-funded for NHS work only. However, I have a suspicion that the majority of registrants have their retention fees paid for by their employers or for the self-employed and others it is either charged as a business expense or offset against personal taxation. As such the increases are more likely to be reflected in increased prices, with the consumer footing the bill, hardly a case of the GOC protecting the public!