Reading List

Selected guidance and policy documents to support the course topics. Apply them in line with your role, local policies and supervisory arrangements.

GOC standards and guidance

• GOC - Optical Business Standard 1.1: Patients can expect to be safe in your care
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/1-1-patients-can-expect-to-be-safe-in-your-care.html
  Provides context on safe systems, suitable environments and preventing avoidable harm.
• GOC - Optical Business Standard 1.3: Communication is clear and effective
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/1-3-communication-is-clear-and-effective.html
  Guidance for explaining roles, tasks, choices and support in ways patients can understand.
• GOC - Optical Business Standard 1.4: Patients can give valid consent to treatment
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/1-4-patients-can-give-valid-consent-to-treatment.html
  Supports the consent elements of close-contact tasks and patient choice.
• GOC - Optical Business Standard 2.4: Confidentiality is respected
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/2-4-confidentiality-is-respected.html
  Expectations for protecting confidential information in optical services.
• GOC - Optical Business Standard 3.3: Staff are adequately supervised and supported
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/3-3-staff-are-adequately-supervised-and-supported.html
  Relevant to chaperone training, reporting routes and support after concerns.
• GOC - Standard 2: Communicate effectively with your patients
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/2-communicate-effectively-with-your-patients.html
  Further detail on clear explanations, listening and adapting communication.
• GOC - Standard 4: Show care and compassion for your patients
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/4-show-care-and-compassion-for-your-patients.html
  Addresses dignity, respect, empathy and responding to individual needs.
• GOC - Standard 14: Maintain confidentiality and respect your patients' privacy
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/14-maintain-confidentiality-and-respect-your-patie.html
  Main professional standard on confidentiality, records, images and privacy.
• GOC - Standard 15: Maintain appropriate boundaries with others
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/15-maintain-appropriate-boundaries-with-others.html
  Guidance on boundary risks, professional distance and raising concerns.
• GOC - Consent guidance
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/guidance/consent.html
  Fuller guidance on valid consent in optical care.
• GOC - Care of patients in vulnerable circumstances
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/guidance/care-of-patients-in-vulnerable-circumstances.html
  Practical context for supporting patients whose circumstances increase their vulnerability.

Chaperoning, accessible information and confidentiality principles

• NHS England - Improving chaperoning practice in the NHS: key principles and guidance
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/improving-chaperoning-practice-in-the-nhs-key-principles-and-guidance/
  Practical guidance on chaperone policy, patient choice, staff training, documentation and learning from incidents.
• NHS England - Accessible Information Standard implementation guidance
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/accessible-information-standard-implementation-guidance/
  Guidance on identifying, recording and meeting communication needs linked to disability, impairment or sensory loss.
• GOV.UK - The Caldicott Principles
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-caldicott-principles
  High-level principles for using patient information only where justified and necessary.

Use these documents alongside your local chaperone policy, confidentiality policy, safeguarding procedures, incident reporting routes and current manager or registrant guidance.