GOC suspends Manchester based optomestrist

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to suspend Francisca Gracia Ruiz, an optometrist based in Manchester, from its register for six months.

A GOC Fitness to Practise Committee found her fitness to practise impaired by reason of misconduct relating to attempted shoplifting.

In making the decision, the Committee, chaired by James Kellock said:

"These were serious acts of dishonesty by a professional person. The Registrant had three opportunities to pay for the trousers and cardigan but had not done so. In addition, the Registrant when initially confronted claimed to have paid for the trousers and later offered to pay for them."

Taking all of the relevant factors in to account, the Committee decided that a period of suspension is an appropriate and proportionate sanction for this case.

Ms Ruiz has until 26 November 2019 to appeal her suspension.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The full determination is available on our past hearings page
2. A briefing on how the Fitness to Practise process works is available at: https://www.optical.org/en/news_publications/press_kit/media-statements-and-briefings/index.cfm
3. The registrant’s date of most recent registration with the GOC as an optometrist was 28 February 2019. Her GOC registration number is 01-23179. Her last registered contact address was in Manchester.

For media enquiries please contact:

GOC Communications Team

General Optical Council

t: 020 7580 3898 (option 3)

e: communications@optical.org

About the General Optical Council:

The GOC is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Its purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct amongst opticians. The Council currently registers around 30,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses.