College publishes its view to changes in Opticians Act

The response from The College of Optometrists on GOCs draft response .

The General Optical Council has presented a draft response to its call for evidence on the need for change to the Opticians Act (1989) and the consultation on associated GOC policies to its Council.

Below is a response from The College of Optometrists.

“Professor Leon Davies FCOptom, President of The College of Optometrists said; “The call for evidence on the need for change to the Opticians Act (1989) was a vital opportunity for the College to help shape the future of the profession and ensure safe, high-quality eye care.

We are pleased to see in the GOC’s draft response that we have successfully influenced the process and that many of our recommendations have been included, most crucially, that the sight test will be preserved as a refraction and ocular health assessment conducted by an optometrist or registered medical practitioner.

The College worked tirelessly with members to draft our response, and to ensure that the role and scope of the optometrist is advanced as a consequence of the review.

We look forward to working in consultation with the GOC, and as always, will ensure our members’ voices are heard as part of the next stages.”

Full information is available on the College website.