Brian Kelly struck off as optician after ‘multiple’ fraudulent claims

A former isles optician has been struck off by the General Optical Council after it emerged he made “multiple” fraudulent claims totalling almost £30,000.

Brian Kelly, who formerly ran Kelly Opticians in Commercial Street, is now unable to practice as an optometrist in the UK.

A statement from the GOC said it had found Mr Kelly’s fitness to practise impaired “by virtue of matters of misconduct relating to multiple dishonest claims for payment”.

It also said he failed to engage with the GOC’s investigation process.

The ruling follows a hearing earlier this month, which found Mr Kelly over-claimed remuneration from the NHS worth £29,398.30.

Mr Kelly has until 17th March to appeal his erasure, during which time he is suspended from the register and is unable to practise.

If no appeal is lodged by this date, he will be erased from the register.

The GOC ruled Mr Kelly had made “inappropriate and fraudulent claims” for payment on 25 specific occasions.

“These occasions were themselves a selection from a pattern of wider fraud over a period of about four years,” the statement added.

“The committee was in no doubt that the facts that it had found proved, in relation to the registrant’s dishonesty, amounted to misconduct.

“While no question had been raised in relation to his clinical competence, the lack of probity demonstrated in this case was considered extremely serious.

“In making its decision, the committee concluded that the sanction of erasure was the only proportionate outcome in this case, to uphold proper standards of conduct and to maintain confidence in the profession and in its regulation.”