The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched its 2024 Workforce and Perceptions Survey and is keen to learn of any change in registrants’ views and experiences over the past 12 months.
Last year’s findings revealed that 62 per cent of respondents were satisfied with their role and that 40 per cent planned to gain additional qualifications/skills over the next 12 to 24 months.
However, 41 per cent of respondents said they had experienced harassment, bullying, or abuse from patients and service users in the last 12 months.
In response to this, the GOC issued a joint sector statement committing to a zero-tolerance approach to these types of negative behaviours. It also issued more guidance for registrants to help them complete their CPD requirements and is consulting on strengthened standards of practice in this area.
Steve Brooker, GOC director of regulatory strategy, said: “Last year’s survey provided us with important insights about registrants’ experiences, particularly in relation to bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination. We’re keen to learn if there has been a change in registrants’ views and experiences over the last year so we can better understand how they feel about their job and career.
“The findings from this year’s survey will help inform GOC policy and assist other optical organisations and government departments who then use the data to identify trends in the workforce across the UK. We want to hear from as many students and fully qualified registrants as possible to ensure the report is an accurate representation of optometrists’ and dispensing opticians’ views and experiences across the UK.”
The survey will take about 12 minutes to complete and there is a prize draw to win a £250 online gift card as a thank you for taking part.
Complete the survey here before the 22 April cut-off date.