The General Optical Council (GOC) has published the findings from their 2025 Workforce and Perceptions Survey, which reveals the impacts of commercial pressures on optical professionals and launches thematic review
The research indicates that registrants experiencing pressures (time or commercial) are more likely to report difficulty in providing patients with the sufficient level of care they require.
The GOC Workforce and Perceptions Survey, aims to learn more about registrants’ work experience across the UK, including views on their job satisfaction and conditions at work. The survey took place from March-May 2025 and received 365 responses from its Scottish participants, totalling a response rate of 14%.
Below notes the percentage of respondents in Scotland, who reported experiencing the following practices sometimes or frequently, within a period of the last 12 months:
- 58% of respondents in Scotland noted that the reason for dissatisfaction is that they do not feel valued, compared to 70% of respondents in England
- 45% of respondents in Scotland noted that the standard time allocated to conduct a sight test had been insufficient to provide safe patient, compared to 50% of respondents in England
- 24% of respondents in Scotland noted that they felt under pressure to meet commercial targets at the expense of patient care compared to 35% of respondents in England
Overall, the GOC found that job satisfaction levels across the UK are reduced again, only 55% of respondents noted feeling satisfied in their role over the past 12 months, compared to 62% in 2023 and 58% in 2024.
The GOC survey notes that levels of harassment, bullying, abuse and discrimination are still high UK wide, with 44% of respondents noting they experienced harassment, bullying or abuse at their work or place of study, with 29% noting they experienced discrimination at their work or place of study in the last 12 months.
The GOC found that the most common reason respondents wanted to join the optical professions were
- An interest in eye health/eye care (67%)
- Wanting to help others (55%).
Steve Brooker, GOC Director of Regulatory Strategy, said:
“This year’s research highlights the continuing challenges that registrants face in daily clinical practice due to features of their working environment and the troubling impact this has on their well-being and on their ability to provide safe patient care.
To understand some of the challenges in more detail, in this year’s survey, we introduced new questions to understand the potential impacts of time and commercial pressures at work. It’s concerning how many registrants reported these pressures occurring sometimes or frequently. These registrants were more likely to report finding it difficult to provide patients with the sufficient level of care they need, suggesting a link between these pressures and patient safety.
We are launching a thematic review on commercial practices and patient safety to better understand how we can support registrants and protect the public. We want to hear directly from registrants about their views and experiences, so will be running a series of conversations on LinkedIn on this topic.”
View the full research report and infographic.
Optometry Scotland recognises the importance of the GOC survey findings. As the representative body for the optometry sector in Scotland, we welcome research into the optometry workforce.
Optometry Scotland encourages open dialogue with our members as we continue to represent the interests their interest within the sector.
If you would like to discuss any relevant concerns, please get in touch with your regional OS representative or contact us at office@optometryscotland.org.uk