04-12-2007 Back to news index
Practitioners are being urged by the GOC to complete and return their retention forms, sent out last week, as soon as possible. Any registrant who has not received their forms should contact the GOC and it reminds those who pay by direct debit that they still have to sign and return their form for registration.
The GOC warns that registrants who do not return their completed form and payment by March 15 2007 or who do not meet the CET requirement will be removed from the register on 1 April 1 2007. Over 85% optometrists and 77% dispensing opticians have already achieved their points requirement. The list of registrants not renewed will be published on the GOC website and copies sent to PCTs.
Registrar Peter Coe said: 'Registrants must meet the CET requirement and provide criminal and health declarations and insurance details, so it's not just a question of making a payment. We have to have signed forms back to keep practitioners on the register. Even if we have had a payment from you by direct debit, if you don't return the form, we won't be able to keep you on the register from April.'
The GOC added that registrants did not need to notify the Council of their CET points total. It will be automatically notified of everyone who has 'earned and confirmed' the minimum number of points required by December 31 2006.