GOC erases Solihull based optometrist from register

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to erase Nirmal Koasha, an optometrist based in Solihull, from its register.

Ms Koasha was originally suspended in February 2023 for 12 months by the GOC Fitness to Practise Committee due to misconduct and deficient professional performance. Review hearings in March and August 2024 showed that Ms Koasha had not adequately reflected on and/or remediated her conduct, and she continued to remain suspended and impaired on grounds of public protection and public interest. After continuing to show a lack of engagement with the fitness to practise process, it has been decided to erase Ms Koasha from the register.

Ms Koasha’s original suspension in 2023 was in relation to undertaking activities restricted to registered optometrists despite not having met the 2016-2018 Continuing Education and Training (CET) cycle requirements; failing to record necessary patient information; and falsifying clinical data in subsequent examinations.

Ms Koasha has until 20 March 2025 to appeal against her erasure, during which time she continues to be suspended from the register.