DO joins GOC advisory panel

Jutinder Basi

Dispensing optician Jutinder Basi, director of Welbourne Opticians in Lancaster, has been appointed to the advisory panel of the General Optical Council’s (GOC) Companies Committee.

The role will involve Jutinder providing professional knowledge and insight into the potential impact of changes within the optical sector.

As an independent business owner and dispensing optician, Jutinder feels well positioned to offer informed perspectives and advise the GOC on how such changes may affect businesses across the industry.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to share my views. I can use my real-world experience to say whether something will bring benefit to the wider profession or whether it would have a detrimental effect.

“The GOC sets the standards that we must all follow as a profession, so it is important we get that right. I’m looking forward to getting involved and meeting other eyecare professionals to share ideas and best practice.

“The GOC has values such as ‘we act with integrity’ and ‘we respect other people’s ideas’. As someone who has their own business and also holds these values, I feel the position is something that really appeals to me.’’

The new role will see Jutinder devote five days a year to the GOC committee and he is confident the appointment will prove beneficial to patients.

He added: “When you’re in a small practice it can feel quite lonely at times, it will be great meeting new people from across the profession. That cross-pollination of ideas is vital.

“Nobody knows everything, so hearing other professionals’ opinions will help develop me as a professional and gain a wider prescriptive of the optics industry.”

Jutinder has worked across a variety of optical practices throughout his career. His interest in the profession began during his school years, when he completed work experience at his mother’s opticians. He subsequently progressed to a full-time role within a multiple, where he qualified as a dispensing optician.

Committed to professional development, Jutinder advanced his career through management training, completing qualifications with the ILM and CMI management courses.

He has served as a director of Welbourne Opticians for the past two years, sponsoring Lancaster University Rugby League LYNX team and committing to help the community with an independent eyecare service in Lancaster.

Jutinder concluded: “I’m passionate about changing the perception of dispensing opticians. We are often seen as somewhere that just sells glasses, but we are much more than that. We are a vital healthcare service that looks after eye health, and I want us to be acknowledged as such.”