The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched a consultation on the guidance to be used by its Investigation Committee (IC), when deciding what action to take in respect of fitness to practise complaints against GOC registrants.
The consultation considers key issues about the IC guidance such as:
- will the guidance help to ensure consistency in decision-making?
- are the factors identified in the guidance relevant to the Committee’s consideration of individual cases?
GOC Director of Legal and Fitness to Practise, Rosalyn Hayles said:
“The fitness to practise process is at the core of the GOC’s work as a regulator. The GOC is committed to public protection that is proportionate and transparent, and we are delighted to invite all stakeholders in our fitness to practise process to contribute to this important consultation.”
The consultation has been sent to a large number of stakeholder groups including optical bodies, public and patient groups, charities, education providers and other regulators. It will run for three months, closing on 9 November 2009.
The consultation document and online responses can be founds at www.optical.org.