Reading List

These references support the course and help when checking local red-flag scripts, urgent referral routes, safeguarding procedures and handover notes. Support staff are not expected to memorise clinical referral tables; managers and registrants should use current sources to keep local instructions accurate.

• GOC Standard 6: Recognise, and work within, your limits of competence - Guidance on when concerns require referral or escalation beyond your role.
• GOC Standard 7: Conduct appropriate assessments, examinations, treatments and referrals - Registrant-facing standard on adequate assessment, timely further examination or treatment, and consulting colleagues when unsure.
• GOC Standard 8: Maintain adequate patient records - Use for recording presenting concerns, actions taken, referrals, advice given and who was involved.
• GOC Standard 11: Protect and safeguard patients, colleagues and others from harm - Guidance on safeguarding, reporting concerns promptly and keeping clear notes.
• GOC Standard 12: Ensure a safe environment for your patients - Covers maintaining a safe environment and taking emergency action within your competence.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 1.1: Patients can expect to be safe in your care - Covers safeguarding processes, escalation and promoting a culture of safety.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 1.2: Patient care is delivered in a suitable environment - Relevant to emergency preparedness, safety checks and premises controls.
• GOC Optical Business Standard 3.4: Staff collaborate with others, where appropriate - Covers referral pathways, timely information sharing and making records available to those involved in care.
• College of Optometrists: Annex 4 urgency of referrals table - Registrant-facing reference for emergency and urgent eye presentations; use it to keep local red-flag lists up to date.
• NHS: Floaters and flashes in the eyes - Public guidance on new or sudden floaters, flashes, curtain or shadow, blurred vision and pain.
• NHS: Vision loss - Public guidance on urgent action for sudden sight loss, visual changes, painful red eye and light sensitivity.
• NHS: Red eye - Public guidance on red-eye symptoms that need urgent or emergency help, including contact lens related red eye.
• NHS: Eye injuries - Public guidance on chemical exposure, penetrating injury, high-speed impact, severe pain and vision change after injury.
• NHS: Symptoms of a stroke - FAST signs and guidance on urgent action for suspected stroke, including sudden visual symptoms.
• NHS: When to call 999 - Public guidance on life-threatening emergencies and using emergency services.
• St John Ambulance: How to do the Primary Survey - Short first-aid video used in the course to support recognising emergencies and calling for trained help.