Search the Site
Promoting good eye care,
protecting the public
Main Menu
Who are you?
News and press releases
GOC removes 386 student opticians from the registers
Fri 3 Sep 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) has today removed 386 student optometrists and dispensing opticians from its registers, for failing to renew their registration for 2010-11 - press release - 13 September 2010
GOC responds to AOP and ABDO on retention fees
Fri 20 Aug 2010
The GOC has responded to AOP and ABDO comments made in the Optician and Optometry Today journals - news - 19 August
Mon 2 Aug 2010
The 15 July retention deadline has now passed. Students who have not yet renewed their registration must pay an additional £10 late application fee. Students who do not apply by 31 August risk removal from the registers.
GOC responds to OHPA announcement
Mon 2 Aug 2010
The Department of Health announced last week in a written statement that it would not pursue further plans to transfer the adjudication of fitness to practise cases for the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Optical Council (GOC) to the Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (OHPA) - press release - 2 August
GOC retention deadline now passed
Mon 19 Jul 2010
At the 15 July deadline, 78 per cent of optometry and dispensing optics students had successfully applied to renew their General Optical Council (GOC) registration. When compared to last year, this represents a 3 per cent decrease in the percentage of students who have missed the deadline - press release - 19 July 2010
Optical regulator 'performed well' in 2009-10, says CHRE
Fri 2 Jul 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) has 'performed well' throughout 2009-10, according the CHRE's (Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence) annual performance review - press release - 2 July 2010
GOC consults providers on future of CET scheme
Mon 28 Jun 2010
The GOC is inviting all CET providers to suggest and discuss improvements to its CET scheme at an event in Birmingham on 30 July - press release - 28 June 2010
Mon 28 Jun 2010
One in three people with a learning disability might also have a sight problem - but for thousands this will go undiagnosed, the country's main sight loss charity is warning.
Tue 22 Jun 2010
A summary of news from our Council meeting on 17 June, including our accounts, progress on revalidation and revisions to our competencies.
GOC launches online registration toolkit
Mon 14 Jun 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched an online registration toolkit designed to help fully-registered optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical businesses promote their registered status to patients and the public - press release - 14 June
UK optical community rallies to launch inaugural National Eye Health Week 2010
Fri 11 Jun 2010
THE UK eyecare sector is joining forces with charities, health care commissioners and professionals to launch the first ever National Eye Health Week.
GOC seeks feedback on accessibility of fitness to practise information
Mon 7 Jun 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched a consultation to ask: how accessible should fitness to practise (FTP) information about registrants be? - press release - 7 June 2010
Geoff Harris stands down as GOC Chair
Wed 2 Jun 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) has today announced Geoff Harris's resignation from his position on Council. Geoff is currently Council Chair - press release - 2 June
Student retention countdown gets underway
Mon 10 May 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) has begun its annual countdown to the 15 July student retention deadline. Retention forms for 2010-11 have been sent to all optometry and dispensing optics students - press release - 10 May 2010
Vacancies remain on GOC committees
Tue 4 May 2010
The General Optical Council (GOC) is advertising to fill four remaining places on its statutory committees - press release - 4 May