Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the findings of a recent Which? investigation into the quality of optical prescriptions, whether they have any plans to review the regulation of opticians and the performance of the General Optical Council.

The Government is consulting on proposals for the reform of the professional regulation of healthcare professionals, including opticians, in the United Kingdom. This consultation closes on 23 January 2018.

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is the independent body responsible for overseeing the work of the nine statutory bodies that regulate health professionals in the UK and social workers in England. The PSA reviews the performance of the General Optical Council on an annual basis.