The joint whistleblowing disclosures report sets out how the healthcare professional regulators handle disclosures, highlight the action taken about these issues, and aims to improve collaboration across the health sector.
The GOC held its third Council meeting of the year on 16 September 2025. The agenda included approving a business case for a thematic review into commercial practices and patient safety, the GOC’s Annual Report 2024-25 and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Annual Report 2024-25.
Marc Stoner will join the GOC as Director of Corporate Services, following a competitive recruitment process. His appointment will begin on 1st September 2025.
The GOC held its second Council meeting of the year on 25 June 2025. The agenda included discussing and approving the GOC’s response to its business regulation consultation and approving draft new standards guidance for registrants for the purposes of public consultation.
Congratulations to Council Member Cathy Yelf, who has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in His Majesty the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List.
We are pleased to introduce our Corporate Safeguarding Policy, which outlines how we respond to and manage concerns about the safety and wellbeing of people at risk.
The GOC's corporate strategy for 2025-30, which sets out a new vision, safe and effective eyecare for all, and a new mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.
The GOC has announced the reappointment to its Council of Frank Munro as registrant member for a further four-year term. Raymond Curran and Cathy Yelf have been appointed as new registrant and lay members respectively.
We are seeking seven new members to join our Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel is made up of several committees – we are recruiting members for our Companies, Education and Registration Committees.
We are looking to appoint eleven members to our Hearings Panel – three lay (non-registrant) members, four dispensing opticians, and seven optometrists.
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care has published its review of the General Optical Council’s performance in 2023-2024. For the third year, the GOC has met all 18 of the PSA’s Standards of Good Regulation.
The GOC has announced the reappointment to its Council of Lisa Gerson as registrant member for a further four-year term. Ros Levenson and Poonam Sharma have been appointed as new lay and registrant members respectively.
