Verum writes: Standards of practice

It seems that for some time now, every week we read in this magazine of an optometrist or dispensing optician who has been suspended from the optical register.  This in itself may not be surprising as numbers of registrants are increasing and what is expected clinically from registrants has increased significantly in recent years with a wider scope of practice and more focus on good clinical governance.  In addition we have an increasingly litigious population and so all in all it is not surprising there are more issues to deal with.  However my perception is that it is far more common for the reason for suspension being not a clinical issue, but due to some misdemeanour in the individual’s private life or within their practice, such as theft.