Press Release

CET Scheme - GOC Rules

08 April 2005

Dispensing opticians and optometrists should expect adjustments to the CET scheme rules to be implemented on the start date of the statutory scheme on July 1st 2005, and at the beginning of the next 3-year period starting January 2007.

The GOC CET Audit group met on Thursday 7th April to discuss the way forward, and in addition consider how the CET scheme might fit with the GOC's plans for revalidation in the next few years.

Confusion still surrounds the issue of CLOs' standard credits requirement, what years the next 3-year period will encompass, and other details of the GOC Rules for the CET scheme. The group will also need to address the apparent shortfall of credits shown on some DOs' records on the cetoptics website.

A strong recommendation has been made to the GOC by ABDO's CET Officer, Paula Stevens, to withdraw the 2004 credits from records, with a notice that the credits will be reshown on 1st July to reflect accurately the allowed carry-over of credits from the voluntary period.