General Optical Council

GOC retention deadline now passed

Mon 19 Jul 2010

At the 15 July deadline, 78 per cent of optometry and dispensing optics students had successfully applied to renew their General Optical Council (GOC) registration. When compared to last year, this represents a 3 per cent decrease in the percentage of students who have missed the deadline - press release - 19 July 2010

Optical regulator 'performed well' in 2009-10, says CHRE

Fri 2 Jul 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) has 'performed well' throughout 2009-10, according the CHRE's (Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence) annual performance review - press release - 2 July 2010

GOC consults providers on future of CET scheme

Mon 28 Jun 2010

The GOC is inviting all CET providers to suggest and discuss improvements to its CET scheme at an event in Birmingham on 30 July - press release - 28 June 2010

RNIB 'Bridge to Vision' DVD

Mon 28 Jun 2010

One in three people with a learning disability might also have a sight problem - but for thousands this will go undiagnosed, the country's main sight loss charity is warning.

News from 17 June Council

Tue 22 Jun 2010

A summary of news from our Council meeting on 17 June, including our accounts, progress on revalidation and revisions to our competencies.

GOC launches online registration toolkit

Mon 14 Jun 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched an online registration toolkit designed to help fully-registered optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses promote their registered status to patients and the public - press release - 14 June

UK optical community rallies to launch inaugural National Eye Health Week 2010

Fri 11 Jun 2010

THE UK eyecare sector is joining forces with charities, health care commissioners and professionals to launch the first ever National Eye Health Week.

GOC seeks feedback on accessibility of fitness to practise information

Mon 7 Jun 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched a consultation to ask: how accessible should fitness to practise (FTP) information about registrants be? - press release - 7 June 2010

Geoff Harris stands down as GOC Chair

Wed 2 Jun 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today announced Geoff Harris's resignation from his position on Council. Geoff is currently Council Chair - press release - 2 June

Student retention countdown gets underway

Mon 10 May 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) has begun its annual countdown to the 15 July student retention deadline. Retention forms for 2010-11 have been sent to all optometry and dispensing optics students - press release - 10 May 2010

Vacancies remain on GOC committees

Tue 4 May 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) is advertising to fill four remaining places on its statutory committees - press release - 4 May

Volunteers to help optical regulator 'see more clearly'

Fri 30 Apr 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) is looking for volunteers to join two new Stakeholder Reference Groups. Each group will be made up of 12 members. Patients and members of the public will form one group, and optical professionals such as registrants, ophthalmologists and representatives of the optical bodies will form the other - press release - 30 April 2010

Should a 'licence to practise' form part of revalidation?

Fri 23 Apr 2010

In the latest phase of its consultation on revalidation, the General Optical Council (GOC) is asking whether a 'licence to practise' should be used as part of a revalidation scheme for optometrists and dispensing opticians. - press release - 23 April 2010

GOC announces new Standards and Education Committee members

Mon 12 Apr 2010

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today announced the names of 15 new Committee members who have been approved to sit on its statutory Standards and Education Committees - press release - 12 April