General Optical Council
Other
Action Taken
The General Optical Council (GOC) concluded its investigation into the optometrist's fitness to practise, closing the case with no further action. However, the GOC has published new standards for individual registrants, defining expected behaviour and performance for all optometrists and dispensing opticians, in response to the issues raised by this case. (AI summary)
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Dear Professor Forrest
Action to Prevent Future Fatalities (Inquest into the death of Charles Pierson)
I write further to my letter dated 6 October 2014 to inform you of the outcome of the GOC's investigation into the fitness to practise of [REDACTED].
The allegation against [REDACTED] has now been considered by two of the GOC's case examiners.
When the case examiners consider an allegation of impaired fitness to practise against a registrant, they are required to apply what is known as the "realistic prospect test" in order to determine whether or not a matter should be referred for a hearing before the Fitness to Practise Committee. This is a two stage test:
* Firstly, the case examiners must consider whether there is a realistic prospect of being able to prove the facts alleged against the registrant if the allegation is referred to the Fitness to Practise Committee.
* Secondly, if the alleged facts were proved, the case examiners must consider whether they are so significant as to indicate that the registrant's fitness to practise is or may be impaired to a degree that justifies action being taken against their registration.
The case examiners have applied this test to the allegation against [REDACTED] and have determined that the matter ought not be referred to the Fitness to Practise Committee. The case against [REDACTED] has therefore now been closed with no further action.
As the case did not proceed to a final hearing, the full decision of the case examiners is not publically available. The GOC can consider disclosing the decision to you however, if a specific request is made. If you would like to obtain a copy of the full decision, please submit your request by email to [REDACTED] Investigations Manager, at [REDACTED]
10 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7NG Telephone +44 (0)20 7580 3898 Fax +44 (0)20 7436 3525 Email goc@optical.org Web www.optical.org Registered charity number 1150137
Finally, you may recall that in my letter of 6 October 2014 I informed you that we were looking at the issues raised by this case from the perspective of our role in setting standards for the individuals and businesses on our register. I can now inform you that the new standards for individual registrants have since been published and are available on our website:
behaviour and performance we expect of all registered optometrists and dispensing opticians, including students. It is hoped that by making clear what we expect of our registrants, these standards will have a positive impact on the quality of care provided to patients.
I hope the above information is of some assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Action to Prevent Future Fatalities (Inquest into the death of Charles Pierson)
I write further to my letter dated 6 October 2014 to inform you of the outcome of the GOC's investigation into the fitness to practise of [REDACTED].
The allegation against [REDACTED] has now been considered by two of the GOC's case examiners.
When the case examiners consider an allegation of impaired fitness to practise against a registrant, they are required to apply what is known as the "realistic prospect test" in order to determine whether or not a matter should be referred for a hearing before the Fitness to Practise Committee. This is a two stage test:
* Firstly, the case examiners must consider whether there is a realistic prospect of being able to prove the facts alleged against the registrant if the allegation is referred to the Fitness to Practise Committee.
* Secondly, if the alleged facts were proved, the case examiners must consider whether they are so significant as to indicate that the registrant's fitness to practise is or may be impaired to a degree that justifies action being taken against their registration.
The case examiners have applied this test to the allegation against [REDACTED] and have determined that the matter ought not be referred to the Fitness to Practise Committee. The case against [REDACTED] has therefore now been closed with no further action.
As the case did not proceed to a final hearing, the full decision of the case examiners is not publically available. The GOC can consider disclosing the decision to you however, if a specific request is made. If you would like to obtain a copy of the full decision, please submit your request by email to [REDACTED] Investigations Manager, at [REDACTED]
10 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7NG Telephone +44 (0)20 7580 3898 Fax +44 (0)20 7436 3525 Email goc@optical.org Web www.optical.org Registered charity number 1150137
Finally, you may recall that in my letter of 6 October 2014 I informed you that we were looking at the issues raised by this case from the perspective of our role in setting standards for the individuals and businesses on our register. I can now inform you that the new standards for individual registrants have since been published and are available on our website:
behaviour and performance we expect of all registered optometrists and dispensing opticians, including students. It is hoped that by making clear what we expect of our registrants, these standards will have a positive impact on the quality of care provided to patients.
I hope the above information is of some assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.