Making a declaration for health concerns: one member’s experience

Registrants of the General Optical Council (GOC) are required to make a declaration regarding their physical or mental health if it affects their ability to practise safely.

In 2025–2026, 577 self-declarations relating to physical or mental health were made to the GOC.

Of these, the regulator said eight cases were considered at triage stage against its acceptance criteria to determine whether a formal fitness to practise (FtP) investigation was required. The GOC typically closes around 80% of concerns at the triage stage, it said.

These policies are in place to ensure the public is protected, but one AOP member has raised concerns about the impact that the process could have on potentially vulnerable registrants.

The AOP member, who has chosen to remain anonymous, and Scott Shadbolt, head of professional discipline at the AOP, described the two-year journey following a self-declaration for reasons of mental health.

Doing the right thing

The AOP member told OT: “Following the birth of my child, I developed severe postnatal depression. This wasn’t treated very well and so, as time went on, it grew worse and I developed unhealthy ways of coping. I took some time off from work and made a declaration to the GOC.”

The case was assessed and, after a period of several months, referred for an FtP investigation.

“I completely understood why it was being referred – I am all for trying to keep things as safe as possible for patients,” the member said.

“As soon as I received notification that the GOC was opening an investigation, I spoke to the AOP,” the member explained.

Many registrants who have faced an investigation will recognise the anxiety this can bring. For this AOP member, the process itself added to the stress.

They said: “Managing mental health issues at the same time as having an investigation hanging over you is a lot to deal with. I felt that the process was haphazard and it just kept on going. I supplied all of my medical records and paid privately for health assessments – no matter what I supplied, I felt none of it seemed to stand any stead.”

“It felt like it had been decided that I wasn’t good enough. Sometimes it is hard to pull yourself back and remind yourself that this is something they have to do,” the member reflected.

A medical assessment determined the case did not need to go to a hearing, but at that stage it was deemed “too late.”

“After the hearing it was determined that everything I had done had been exemplary. I suppose I was relieved, but I didn’t really feel anything. I had faced two years of stress and I didn’t trust that it wasn’t going to cause me a problem again,” the AOP member said.

Concerns in the process

Between 2024 and 2025, the AOP opened 282 GOC matters in order to provide support to members.

Scott Shadbolt, head of professional discipline at the AOP, explained that the legal team regularly receives questions around declarations – across issues such as dismissals, criminal proceedings, and health concerns.

Asked for his perspective on whether safeguards should be in place for these cases, Shadbolt suggested: “I would say there needs to be a different way of carrying out investigations concerning a registrant’s health.”

“There is a possibility that registrants who self-declare health matters are at a greater risk of those feelings of stress, anxiety, and worry – particularly where the health condition declared is a mental health condition,” he concluded.

The impact continues

The case took a toll for the member, who described: “During the process I reached a point where I needed to take time away from work because I wasn’t coping. It made me really stressed.”

They member added: “I have always been resilient, but to have somebody questioning your character when all you have tried to do is the right thing in a profession you love and have always advocated for, it’s quite galling.”

The member told OT that the experience has led them to question whether they want to stay in the profession.

“Even though the GOC has a duty of care towards the public, I feel they should also have a duty of care towards the people they are putting through this process. I don’t think I can stay in a profession that has made me feel this way,” they said.

The member explained: “My case was classed as a mental health case. I am concerned that, if somebody is struggling with mental health and subjected to this process, at some point somebody could break.

“That is why I wanted to speak up – because I think the GOC needs to change its approach. I can’t change the GOC, that is something that needs a change in the system, but I can speak up,” they emphasised.

The support of the AOP’s legal team made a difference through the process, the member shared: “The solicitor has been so understanding and knowledgeable. I honestly don’t think I could have gone through this without the AOP on my side.”

They explained: “If you don’t have support around you, it could make it considerably harder. A lot of the legal language can feel intimidating. I have a few colleagues who don’t have AOP membership and I tell them: ‘You really need to think about it, because if something happens and you end up in a situation, the AOP really are so good. It is worth it’.”

Safeguards and processes

Health-related declarations are assessed on a case-by-case basis, the GOC has said, considering factors such as whether the condition is being acknowledged and managed, whether the registrant is receiving appropriate treatment or support, whether there has been any impact on patient care or professional practice, and whether the registrant is engaging openly with the GOC.

OT asked if the GOC had a specific process or pathway for self-declarations relating to physical or mental health matters, and if not, whether the GOC would consider looking into this.

The GOC noted that health matters are assessed using its acceptance criteria to determine if a formal investigation into fitness to practise is required.

“Whilst we have an established process for considering these referrals, we recognise the importance of handling these cases sensitively and consistently. We therefore keep our processes under review based on feedback from stakeholders,” the regulator said.

In regards to safeguards in place for registrants, the GOC told OT that health-related cases are handled carefully, commenting: “Where a concern does need to be investigated, the focus remains on whether the registrant can practise safely and effectively, and what support or safeguards may be needed.”

Throughout the process, registrants have a named GOC contact who can answer questions about the case, provide updates, adjust the way the regulator works with the registrant where needed, and signpost to external support.

“For registrants who want to discuss how they are feeling and the impact the process is having on them, the GOC offers an independent support service with Victim Support. The service is free, independent and confidential.”

Registrants may seek support from their professional body or union, and for those who are not part of a body, the GOC said it signposts to organisations such as Advocate and Citizens Advice.

“Where health or wellbeing support is needed, the GOC also signposts to specialist services, including the AOP Peer Support Line, charities, and the registrant’s employer,” the regulator noted.

Making a declaration – why and where to get advice

Advising AOP members on making a declaration, Shadbolt said: “The best piece of advice I could give to any member who is considering, or on the fence about, making a self-declaration on the basis of health is to speak to us first.”

“The AOP team is able to give you an indication of whether something should be declared or not. We can guide people through the decision-making process, and if they decide to make a declaration, we can assist with that also,” he said.

The GOC emphasised to OT that its role is “not to penalise registrants for having a health condition,” adding: “Being open about a health condition helps us understand any support or safeguards that may already be in place and enables us to take a fair and proportionate approach to assessing any potential risk to patient safety.”

A declaration does not automatically mean there is a fitness to practise concern or that regulatory action will be taken, the GOC shared.

“When considering health declarations, we are not concerned with a person’s diagnosis itself or whether they have a disability,” the GOC said.

The regulator explained: “Instead, we consider each case individually and in context, including the condition’s impact on safe practice, whether there is any risk to patients or the registrant, and what steps have been taken to manage that risk.”

Sharing a message for members, Shadbolt commented: “If in doubt, even if there is a question mark as to whether they should be thinking about making a declaration – talk to us, and we’ll help.”

Here to help

The AOP legal team is available to answer member enquiries regarding making a declaration. Contact the team at the AOP.

If you feel affected by any of the issues discussed in this article and would like to talk to confidentially with a trained, empathetic peer, the Peer Support Line is available as a non-judgemental space to talk.

Do you have an experience of the FtP process that you would like to highlight? Send an email to the newsdesk or share your story securely and confidentially here.