DOs/CLOs join GOC Hearings Panel

Claire Anstee

The General Optical Council (GOC) has appointed 10 dispensing opticians (DOs) and contact lens opticians (CLOs) to its Hearings Panel.

Having begun their new roles on 1 September, the new members will sit on the GOC’s Fitness to Practise (FtP) and Registration Appeals Committees.

They will work to determine allegations relating to the FtP of registered optometrists and DOs, the fitness of student registrants to undertake training as an optometrist or DO, and the fitness of business registrants to carry on business as optometrists, DOs or both.

Claire Anstee has more than 35 years’ experience and currently works as a locum CLO in Northamptonshire.

Philip Bird is a practising DO and joint venture partner in four Specsavers practices.

Philip Bird

Sarah Castree is a lecturer in Applied Optics at City and Islington College. She also practises as a locum and volunteers for Vision Care for Homeless People.

Sue Deal has 40 years of experience as a practising DO, and is the author of Dispensing Optics‘ monthly OA Corner column.

Millie Fellows has more than 25 years of experience as a practice leader, and currently practises as a DO in Oxfordshire.

Suzana Gorda is a practising DO with a passion for luxury and bespoke eyewear. She has pursued this through her work in independent practices.

Leigh Nelson ran her own practice for 22 years with Specsavers. She has 26 years of experience in optics and practises as a DO in Northern Ireland.

Leigh Nelson

Jill Perry has more than 35 years of experience working as a DO in large multiple, small group and independent practices. She now practises in Dorset.

Lesley Reid has worked as a DO in both the independent and multiple sectors since qualifying in 1992. She currently works in South East London and Kent.

Dr Nahid Sadr-kazemi Bennett’s work in optics is supported by her extensive academic background. She is a lead CLO at Specsavers, practising in Buxton.

Find out more about the new panel members on the GOC website.