An independent review of the General Optical Council’s fitness to practise decisions has found little evidence of unfair or disproportionate outcomes linked to registrants’ protected characteristics. The analysis, presented to Council on 24 June 2026, examined every stage of the FtP process — triage, investigations and hearings — across a five‑year period from 2020 to 2024.
The research, conducted by Dr Gareth Davies of Medistat Limited, concluded that case characteristics, not demographic factors, were the strongest predictors of outcome. Where statistically significant differences did appear, these were primarily associated with “prefer not to say” (PNTS) responses rather than any specific protected group. This suggests that incomplete or withheld EDI data may distort patterns more than any underlying bias in decision‑making.
Council members welcomed the findings, which support the GOC’s long‑standing position that its fitness to practise processes are fair, proportionate and free from systemic disproportionality. However, the report also highlighted areas for improvement. Dr Davies recommended:
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Improving the completeness and quality of EDI data, particularly by reducing PNTS responses.
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Repeating the analysis in future years once more robust datasets are available.
The GOC confirmed it will take forward these recommendations as part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and public confidence in regulation.
The discussion formed part of a wider agenda that also included approval of a new external communications strategy, a revised member code of conduct, and consideration of the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) 2025–26 annual report.
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