GOC encourages optical businesses to register

The General Optical Council (GOC) is calling for all eligible optical businesses to become registered with the regulator.

The GOC highlighted that optical businesses that use protected titles, such as optometrist or optician, are required by law to register.

It is also encouraging registration for those businesses that are eligible, but not required, to register.

The GOC’s director of strategy, Alistair Bridge, highlighted that a significant advantage of registering with the GOC is enhanced levels of trust from patients.

He added that independent research has revealed 85% of patients would rather use an optical business that meets a certain set of standards than one that does not.

“Business registration can also enhance trust from optical professionals because it gives them confidence that their employer operates to the same high professional standards as they do,” Mr Bridge emphasised.

“Additionally, it could give NHS commissioners more confidence about the high standards of the sector as optical professionals take on more clinically complex work,” Mr Bridge said.

GOC business registrants range from small independents to large well-known national chains.

“We’re encouraging all those who are unregistered to do so and enjoy the benefits of extra trust,” Mr Bridge highlighted.

GOC registered businesses are able to display their registration to their patients by downloading a logo from MyGOC which is personalised with their business’ GOC number.

The optical regulator is currently pursuing legislative change that would require all businesses carrying out restricted functions to register with the GOC.

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