Reading List

Here is a curated Reading List to support and extend your learning from the Duty of Candour in Optical Practice course. These resources are UK focused and relevant to optical practice.

1. Core standards and professional guidance

• General Optical Council - Standard 19: Be candid when things have gone wrong https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/19-be-candid-when-things-have-gone-wrong.html

• General Optical Council - The professional duty of candour https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/guidance/the-professional-duty-of-candour.html

2. Statutory duty of candour in England

• CQC - Regulation 20: Duty of candour (overview and provider guidance) https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-20

• CQC - The duty of candour: guidance for providers (PDF) https://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-12/20220722-duty-of-candour-pdf-version-FINAL-2.pdf

3. National approaches across the UK

• Scotland - Organisational Duty of Candour (policy overview) https://www.gov.scot/policies/healthcare-standards/duty-of-candour/

• Wales - NHS Duty of Candour (summary for the public) https://www.gov.wales/nhs-duty-candour

• Wales - Duty of Candour Statutory Guidance 2023 (PDF) https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2023-03/duty-of-candour-statutory-guidance.pdf

• Northern Ireland - Being Open Framework and Duty of Candour consultation update https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/consultation-being-open-framework-and-duty-candour-launched

4. Apologising and communication

• NHS Resolution - Saying sorry (resource hub and leaflet) https://resolution.nhs.uk/resources/saying-sorry/

• Association of Optometrists - Candour and reflective practice https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/features/2019/09/04/candour-and-reflective-practice-the-pathway-to-improving-patient-care

• College of Optometrists - Dealing with complaints https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/guidance/communication%2C-partnership-and-teamwork/dealing-with-complaints

5. Data protection and confidentiality incidents

• ICO - Personal data breaches: a guide https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/personal-data-breach/personal-data-breaches-a-guide/

• ICO - Report a breach https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/

6. Recording, escalation and learning after incidents

• NHS England - Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/patient-safety-insight/incident-response-framework/

• College of Optometrists - Protecting patients, colleagues and others from harm https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/guidance/safety-and-quality/protecting-patients%2C-colleagues-and-others-from-ha

• GOC - Standard 18: Respond to complaints effectively https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/18-respond-to-complaints-effectively.html

7. Legal context for apologies

• England and Wales - Compensation Act 2006, section 2 (apology and liability) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/29/section/2

• Scotland - Apologies (Scotland) Act 2016 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/5/section/1

• Northern Ireland - Ombudsman guidance on issuing an apology https://www.nipso.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/N14C-A4-NIPSO-Guidance-on-issuing-an-apology-July-2019.pdf

8. Optical sector support and mediation

• Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) - Independent mediation https://www.opticalcomplaints.co.uk/