The Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (AIO) has issued a statement, reviewed by the General Optical Council (GOC), which it says makes clear that “no routine eye examinations or sight tests should have been conducted between the period 23 March 2020 and 15 June 2020 – and that any practice breaching the rules should therefore be subject to GOC fitness to practise (FTP) proceedings”.
The statement has been published on the AIO website following a meeting between the AIO and GOC CEO, Lesley Longstone.
In a separate statement the AIO is inviting anyone aware of any breaches to get in contact with either itself or the GOC “in order that fitness to practise proceedings can be commenced in each case”.
AIO chairman, Christian French, commented: “We were appalled to see evidence of a blatant breach of lockdown rules by optical practices being circulated in the public domain.
“Against a backdrop of our members – and the independent sector more widely – strictly observing present GOC rules, teamed with the stresses, uncertainties and hardship that the lockdown has occasioned, a cavalier and total disregard in some quarters is totally unacceptable and must be dealt with appropriately.
“It should never be acceptable that a business goes against the direct advice of our regulatory body, whose rules are put in place for public safety.
“Such behaviour suggests severely misplaced priorities around public safety, going against the very principles of our profession.
“Whilst we are aware of, and fully understand, the motivation of the Change.Org petition that has been circulating, our focus is on ensuring clarity regarding the statements issued by our regulator, whilst bringing to account those who have broken those rules and denigrated our profession in such a blatant manner.”