Leading optical sector organisations highlight strong alignment in response to GOC consultation on registrant fees
Three leading optical sector organisations have written jointly to the General Optical Council (GOC) to highlight significant areas of agreement emerging from their respective responses to the regulator’s consultation on the future approach to registrant fees.
While the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), the Association of Optometrists (AOP) and FODO have each submitted their own detailed responses, the organisations have come together to emphasise broad consensus on several important principles that should underpin any future fee-setting framework.
The organisations welcome the GOC’s decision to engage with stakeholders at an early stage and support the principles proposed to guide future fee decisions. They also call for transparency in how those principles are balanced when difficult decisions are made.
Among the key areas of agreement is the view that any future fee structure should be fair, proportionate and transparent and should appropriately reflect both the varying costs of regulation across different registrant groups and, where relevant, an individual’s ability to pay. The organisations note that any differential fee arrangements should be evidence-based, simple to administer and capable of maintaining confidence across the profession.
The joint letter also outlines shared opposition to higher registration fees for professionals holding additional or specialist qualifications, arguing that advanced skills and professional development should be encouraged rather than financially penalised. In addition, the organisations express concerns about the introduction of multi-year fee cycles and caution against creating unnecessary complexity and administrative costs within the fee-setting system.
Alistair Bridge, chief executive of ABDO, said,
“We are pleased to see such strong alignment across the optical sector on a number of important issues raised by this consultation. While our organisations may have different perspectives on some aspects of fee design, there is clear consensus that any future approach should be fair, proportionate and evidence based.
“In particular, we agree that registrant fees should appropriately reflect both the differing costs of regulation across registrant groups and, where relevant, ability to pay. At the same time, any system must remain straightforward to administer, transparent in operation and focused on delivering value for money for registrants.
“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the GOC as it considers the feedback received and develops its future approach to fee setting.”
The organisations believe these areas of agreement demonstrate broad stakeholder support for a fee-setting framework that reflects regulatory costs, avoids unnecessary complexity, supports professional development and maintains a strong focus on efficiency and affordability for registrants.
Read the joint letter here.
Optometry Scotland is the representative body for optometrists and dispensing opticians in Scotland. This press release has been shared on behalf of an external organisation.
If you have any questions, please contact the OS office at office@optometryscotland.org.uk.