Reading List

This Reading List supports learning from the course and focuses on practical, UK-relevant guidance for honest, person-centred eye care and defensible records.

Core standards and candour

• 16. Be honest and trustworthy Sets the core expectation to act with integrity, manage conflicts of interest, and maintain public trust.
• The professional duty of candour Practical guidance for registrants on openness, apology and speaking up when things go wrong.
• Regulation 20: Duty of candour Statutory provider requirements for candour and notifiable safety incidents (updated May 2025).

Records and documentation

• 8. Maintain adequate patient records Defines the minimum content and standard for clear, contemporaneous notes.
• College of Optometrists: Patient records Practical advice on what to record and how to keep accurate, defensible records in practice.
• Records Management Code of Practice National guidance on retention and management of health and care records (updated December 2023).

Consent and shared decisions

• GOC guidance: Consent How to obtain and document valid consent, capacity and withdrawal in optical care.
• NICE guideline NG197: Shared decision making Evidence based approaches to involve people in decisions and communicate risks and benefits (2021).
• NICE quality standard QS15: Patient experience in adult NHS services Quality statements to support clear communication and informed choices (last reviewed July 2019).

Communication and accessibility

• Accessible Information Standard overview Duties to identify communication needs and provide information in accessible formats.
• Accessible Information Standard implementation guidance Step by step actions for providers to implement and evidence AIS compliance (updated June 2025).
• Interpreting and translation in primary care How NHS primary care services can arrange interpreting and translation support for patients.

Financial integrity and advertising

• Managing conflicts of interest in the NHS Principles and practical controls to identify, declare and manage interests in care and commissioning.
• Standards for Optical Businesses Business standards that hard-wire candour, fair information and honest marketing into practice operations.
• ASA CAP Code: Non-broadcast advertising Rules on truthful claims, pricing and promotions relevant to practice websites and materials.

Complaints and learning

• Feedback and complaints about NHS services How NHS complaints work and what providers should do to handle concerns promptly and fairly.
• PHSO Principles of Good Complaint Handling Six principles to guide open, fair complaint responses and organisational learning.

Personal conduct and social media

• 17. Do not damage the reputation of your profession Expectations for conduct in and out of work, including online behaviour.
• NHS England: Social media Practical guidance on professional conduct, confidentiality and risk management when posting online.

Legal disclosure and fitness to practise

• Declaration guidance for registration What must be declared to the GOC, including cautions and convictions, and how to submit evidence.