Reading List

This Reading List supports the course Compassion in Optical Practice for UK optical professionals and focuses on authoritative guidance to embed compassionate, safe and inclusive care. It prioritises UK regulators, NHS bodies and professional colleges.

Core standards and professional guidance

• 4. Show care and compassion for your patients Sets out the GOC behaviours expected for compassionate, respectful care in optometric practice.
• 2. Communicate effectively with your patients Details practical expectations for clear explanations, checking understanding and adapting communication.
• The professional duty of candour Explains your responsibility to be open and honest with patients when things go wrong, including apology and support.
• Consent Guidance on obtaining and recording valid consent and capacity in routine and urgent eye care.
• 15. Maintain appropriate boundaries with others Clarifies professional boundaries with patients and colleagues to protect trust and avoid conflicts.

Communication, inclusion and patient experience

• NICE guideline NG197: Shared decision making Evidence based recommendations to embed shared decisions, risk communication and decision aids in everyday care (June 2021).
• NICE quality standard QS15: Patient experience in adult NHS services Quality statements that underpin respectful communication, involvement and continuity (last updated July 2019).
• Accessible Information Standard overview Duties to identify, record and meet communication needs for disabled patients and carers.
• Accessible Information Standard implementation guidance Practical steps and resources to comply with AIS in services and pathways (June 2025).
• Interpreting and translation services in primary care Guidance on arranging safe, high quality language support and when not to use family members (September 2018, updated March 2019).
• Reasonable Adjustment Flag National record that alerts services to a person's required reasonable adjustments to support equitable care.

Safeguarding and vulnerable groups

• Safeguarding children and adults at risk College guidance on recognising concerns, local procedures and reporting duties for optical teams.
• NICE guideline NG97: Dementia assessment and management Person centred recommendations including communication, carer involvement and reasonable adjustments in clinical settings (last reviewed September 2023).
• Examining patients with dementia or other acquired cognitive impairment Practical advice for adapting eye examinations, pace and environment to reduce distress.
• NICE guideline CG142: Autism in adults diagnosis and management Guidance to improve access, communication and support for autistic adults in healthcare.

Documentation and referrals

• Patient records What to record and how to document patient priorities, emotions and follow up to support continuity.
• Referrals When and how to refer, and what to include to ensure safe, compassionate handover.

Professional resilience and wellbeing

• HSE Management Standards for work related stress Framework for assessing and mitigating workplace stressors such as demands, control and support (January 2025).
• NHS Practitioner Health Confidential mental health support for health and care professionals in England, including self referral information.