In Focus: Closing statements

An injection of finality was brought to the debate around the GOC’s Education Strategic Review (ESR) as the consultation period ended on October 19. Playing out since the beginning of the consultation period in July this year, the ESR prompted various optical associations and organisations to provide feedback on the GOC’s proposed changes to its requirement’s for qualification as an optometrist or dispensing optician.

The AOP was involved in the consultation and released a statement alongside the College of Optometrists and the Optometry Schools Council that took aim at what it called a ‘lack of clarity on funding for education providers.’ As part of this joint statement, the AOP clarified that it would respond individually to the consultation and has done so by releasing a document detailing its key concerns, alongside its responses to the GOC’s consultation questions.