The General Optical Council (GOC) has appointed Sarah Baylay, a practising contact lens optician, to its Investigation Committee (IC).
Sarah has over 16 years’ experience in the optical sector, and in 2004 graduated with a degree in Optical Management. Sarah has managed six different practices, including eight years at a high street multiple. She has also trained and mentored a number of optical consultants, trainee dispensing opticians and new managers.
Gareth Hadley, GOC Chair, said: “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah to our Investigation Committee. The Committee plays a vital role in enabling us to uphold confidence in the profession and protect the public. Sarah brings a tremendous amount of experience to the role, having worked at all levels of optics, and I am confident the Committee will benefit greatly from her insight.”
IC sits alongside the GOC’s Case Examiners and considers cases either when a health or performance assessment is required, or if the GOC’s case examiners cannot agree on a decision. The IC considers allegations about registrants and decides whether further action is required – for example closing the case, issuing a warning or, in the most serious cases, referral for a fitness to practise hearing.