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GOC Standard 13: Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination in Optical Practice

Supporting Professional Integrity Through Everyday Actions

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Respect, Fairness & Inclusion
Respect & Fairness
Respect in Everyday Practice
Everyday Respect
Fairness in Patient Care
Fairness in Action
Avoiding Discrimination
Discrimination in Practice
Managing Disrespect
Handling Disrespectful Behaviour
Reflection & Continuous Improvement
Exam Pass Notes
Reading List
GOC Standard 13 Completion
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Scenarios: Fairness in Action

Fairness is tested when time is short or commercial choices are in play. Decisions should be consistent, documented and linked to clinical need. In everyday clinic pressures these principles are hard to maintain: clinicians must balance the immediate clinical needs of the patient in front of them with the collective needs of others waiting, and ensure commercial discussions do not override clinical suitability.^[1]^[6]^[3]

Scenario 3

Scenario

The clinic is running to a tight schedule. A patient with complex needs requires more time than allocated and the consultation overruns by 20 minutes. Several other patients are waiting in the waiting room and reception staff are visibly under strain, fielding complaints and trying to rebook appointments.

How should fairness guide next steps?

Summarise what has been achieved and what remains to be done.^[1]^[7]
Agree the minimum safe next step for the current patient.^[1]^[7]
Book a prompt follow-up to complete remaining tasks.^[5]
Inform waiting patients about the delay with an apology and realistic timings.^[5]
Record the rationale for splitting care and any safety-netting provided.^[1]^[7]

Scenario 4

Scenario

A patient attends for spectacles and is shown a selection of frames. The clinician or dispenser subtly steers the patient towards higher-priced frames, although equivalent lower-cost options would meet the patient's clinical and functional needs.

What does fairness require in professional advice?

Present clinically suitable options across price points with the same clarity and care.^[2]
Explain differences in durability, warranty and fit without implying moral value.^[2]^[3]
Document the options offered and the patient's reasons for their choice.^[7]^[1]

Accountability details for both scenarios

Who made the triage or recommendation.^[1]
What options and timelines were provided.^[5]^[2]
When follow-ups will occur.^[5]^[7]
Why the chosen path balances individual and collective fairness.^[1]^[4]

References (numbered in text)

13. Show respect for fairness to others and do not discriminate, General Optical Council (Standards of practice for optometrists and dispensing opticians, effective 1 January 2025) Find (opens in a new tab)
Sale and supply of spectacles — Principles, The College of Optometrists Find (opens in a new tab)
Honesty and integrity, The College of Optometrists Find (opens in a new tab)
Joint statement on conflict of interest, General Optical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
Good communication with patients waiting for care, NHS England (31 October 2023) Find (opens in a new tab)
The influence of time pressure on adherence to guidelines in primary care: an experimental study; Evangelia Tsiga, Efharis Panagopoulou, Nick Sevdalis, Anthony Montgomery, Alexios Benos; BMJ Open 2013 Find (opens in a new tab)
Decision making and consent, General Medical Council (came into effect 9 November 2020; updated 13 December 2024) Find (opens in a new tab)

Key Points

Please take a moment to review these points, reflect on their significance and consider how they apply to your own experiences.

Tick to confirm (optional):

Fairness is strained when time is limited or commercial choices are present.
Make decisions consistent and link them explicitly to clinical need.
When consultations overrun, agree a minimum safe next step and schedule prompt follow-up.
Inform waiting patients about delays with an apology and realistic timings.
Document the rationale for splitting care and any safety-netting provided.
Present clinically suitable options across price points with equal clarity and care.
Explain differences in durability, warranty and fit without implying moral value.
Record who made triage/recommendations, options/timelines provided, follow-up dates and the reasons for decisions.

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Fairness in Patient Care Avoiding Discrimination

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Course Snapshot

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Length: 60 minutes CPD (1.00 CE Credits)
Appropriate for: Optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants, practice managers, reception staff, locums and students in UK optical services.
Course Price: Free
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Harvard

Mecourse Lifelong Learning (2025) ‘Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action’. Mecourse Lifelong Learning [Online]. Available at: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-2-fairness-in-action [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Vancouver

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action [Internet]. Mecourse Lifelong Learning; 2025 Aug 22 [cited 2026 May 12]. Available from: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-2-fairness-in-action.

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Mecourse Lifelong Learning. “Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action.” 2025. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-2-fairness-in-action. Accessed May 12, 2026.

APA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. (2025, August 22). Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-2-fairness-in-action

IEEE

Mecourse Lifelong Learning, “Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action.” Mecourse Lifelong Learning. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-2-fairness-in-action (Accessed: May 12, 2026).

AMA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action. Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Published August 22, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-2-fairness-in-action.

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GOC Standard 13: Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination in Optical Practice

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Scenarios: Fairness in Action

Accountability details for both scenarios

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References (numbered in text)