GOC sanctions four registrants following misconduct findings
The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to:
- erase Bansri Rughani, an optometrist based in London, from its register
- erase Sapna Bariya, a dispensing optician based in London, from its register
- suspend Meera Patel, an optometrist based in Hertfordshire, from its register for two months
- suspend Maneeka Kothari, an optometrist based in London, from its register for two months.
A GOC Fitness to Practise Committee found that all four registrants had their fitness to practise impaired by reason of misconduct.
Ms Rughani and Ms Bariya were directors of an optical practice. The Committee found that they were responsible for a range of serious and repeated dishonest misconduct, including business practices designed to generate additional income from patients. This included, among other things:
- misdiagnosing patients
- overcharging for eye care products and services
- recommending products which were not clinically indicated
- not always providing patients with copies of their prescription
- producing receipts which did not accurately reflect patients’ purchases
- allowing and/or requesting the creation of faked customer emails and feedback in reviews to improve the store’s Key Performance Indicators
- allowing and/or acquiescing in staff members working whilst on furlough during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Patel and Ms Kothari worked as junior employees at the practice. The Committee found that they were encouraged and pressured by the directors to act in an improper manner, and that while this was a mitigating factor, they nevertheless engaged in misconduct themselves, including acts of dishonesty such as misdiagnosing patients and recommending products that were not clinically indicated.
Ms Bariya and Ms Rughani have until 30 May 2026 to appeal against their erasure, during which time they are suspended from the register under an immediate suspension order.
Ms Patel and Ms Kothari have until the same date to appeal against their suspension.
