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The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched its Workforce and Perceptions Survey to learn more about registrants’ work experiences, including views on their job satisfaction, working conditions, and plans for the future.

The GOC has decided to erase James Rees, a dispensing optician based in Swansea, from its register. 

The GOC held its first Council meeting of the year yesterday. Agenda items included approving a discussion paper on the GOC’s approach to setting registrant fees for public consultation and discussing the Professional Standards Authority’s (PSA) 2024–25 performance review of the GOC.

The GOC has decided to suspend Kwan Lok Ho, a student optometrist based in Maidstone, from its register for 12 months. 

The GOC has decided to suspend Ruman Dhaliwal, a student optometrist based in Wolverhampton, from its register for four months. 

For the fourth year in a row, the GOC has met all 18 of the PSA’s Standards of Good Regulation.

The General Optical Council is looking to appoint four new members to its Advisory Panel committees. 

The GOC has decided to suspend Abdul Khan, an optometrist based in Birmingham, from its register for 12 months.  

The GOC has decided to erase Suzy Stonehouse, a dispensing optician based in Ashford, from its register. 

The GOC has decided to suspend Francisca Gracia Ruiz, an optometrist based in Manchester, from its register for twelve months. 

The General Optical Council has signed a joint statement on principles relating to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and training, together with five other health and care regulators.

The GOC has decided to suspend Paul Brinnen, a dispensing optician based in Brighouse, from its register. 

The GOC has decided to erase Samantha Wall, a dispensing optician based in Plymouth, from its register. 

The GOC has appointed Kalwant Grewal as a lay member of its Council. He was appointed by the Privy Council, and his term will begin on 1 February 2026.

The GOC has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, with some changes expected to begin from the 2028–30 CPD cycle. 

Congratulations to GOC Council member Lisa Gerson, who has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in His Majesty The King’s 2026 New Year Honours List.

How our EDI work is supporting fairer outcomes, inclusive access to eyecare and effective, trusted regulation.

The GOC has announced its fees for the 2026/7 registration period, which were approved by Council at its 17 December meeting.

The GOC has published two new pieces of guidance on maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care for patients in vulnerable circumstances.

Updates from the General Optical Council's final meeting of 2025.