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GOC Standard 10: Working Collaboratively with Colleagues in Optical Practice

Delivering Safe and Efficient Care with a Team-Based Approach

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GOC Standard 10: Collaboration
Why Collaboration Matters
Practice Team Collaboration
In-Practice Teamwork
Cross-Healthcare Collaboration
Cross-Professional Working
Carers & Families as Care Partners
Family & Carer Collaboration
Inclusive Collaboration
Inclusive Collaboration Challenges
Managing Disagreements and Conflict
Continuity of Care
Reflection & Continuous Improvement
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Reading List
Course Completed - GOC Standard 10
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Scenarios: Family and Carer Collaboration

Collaboration with families succeeds when the patient remains central and responsibilities are explicit. These scenarios show practical redirection and inclusive communication. ^[1]

Scenario 5: Family Dominates Conversation

Scenario

You are in clinic with an older patient who has known hearing loss. The patient's daughter accompanies them and, when you begin to take a history, answers every question on the patient's behalf. The patient repeatedly turns their head towards you and makes attempts to speak, but is continually spoken over by the daughter. The dynamic leaves the patient sidelined and you are concerned you are not hearing the patient's own account or preferences.

How do you restore focus to the patient while keeping the daughter engaged constructively?

Re-establish the patient as the primary informant: position yourself facing the patient, gain their attention, and ask them first for their account. ^[6]
Use communication adjustments: speak at a measured pace, use clear voice, consider written prompts or visual aids, and check understanding with the patient. ^[2]
Politely set expectations with the daughter: thank her for her input, explain you need to hear directly from the patient, then invite the daughter's observations afterwards. ^[6]
Agree constructive roles for the daughter: clarify practical support she can provide (transport, medication reminders) and when to escalate concerns. ^[3]
Document the consultation: record the patient's words, the communication adjustments used, the relative's contributions and any concerns about undue influence. ^[6]

Scenario 6: Child with Parent Present

Scenario

In a paediatric clinic a child expresses discomfort with a proposed treatment while the parent insists on pursuing a specific option that conflicts with your clinical judgement. The child appears reluctant and communicates dislike, but the parent is assertive and directive about the plan, creating tension in the consultation and uncertainty about whose wishes should guide care.

How do you balance parental responsibility with the child's best interests?

Engage the child directly using age-appropriate language and check their views and understanding. ^[4]
Look at priorities with both child and parent: clarify risks and benefits for the child and the parent's concerns, and seek common ground. ^[6]
Offer compromises when appropriate: propose a trial period, close review, or alternative approach that addresses the child's comfort while safeguarding clinical standards. ^[6]
Escalate if disagreement persists: involve a senior clinician for mediation; if safety is at risk follow safeguarding procedures. ^[5]
Record decisions and legal considerations: note any Gillick competence assessment (if relevant), the discussions held, and the agreed plan or reasons for escalation. ^[4] ^[6]

References (numbered in text)

10. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the interest of patients — General Optical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
Communication tips for health and social care professionals — RNID Find (opens in a new tab)
How to care for someone with communication difficulties — NHS Find (opens in a new tab)
0–18 years: making decisions — General Medical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
GP mythbuster 8: Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines — Care Quality Commission Find (opens in a new tab)
Decision-making and mental capacity (NG108) — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 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):

Keep the patient central and make responsibilities explicit.
Use verbal and non‑verbal techniques to re-establish the patient as primary informant (face the patient, measured pace, written prompts).
Invite and define family/carer input after hearing the patient; clarify specific actions relatives can support.
Document patient statements, communication adjustments used and the relative's role; note concerns about undue influence.
Engage children directly with age-appropriate explanations and look at the child's priorities.
Consider trial periods or review plans when parent and child disagree; escalate to senior clinicians if necessary.
Follow safeguarding procedures where safety risks exist and record Gillick competence considerations when relevant.

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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/technicians, Reception/admin staff, Practice managers, Hospital eye service clinicians and allied professionals.
Course Price: Free
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Harvard

Mecourse Lifelong Learning (2025) ‘Scenario Page 3: Family and Carer Collaboration’. Mecourse Lifelong Learning [Online]. Available at: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-3-family-and-carer-collaboration [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Vancouver

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 3: Family and Carer Collaboration [Internet]. Mecourse Lifelong Learning; 2025 Aug 22 [cited 2026 May 12]. Available from: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-3-family-and-carer-collaboration.

Chicago

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. “Scenario Page 3: Family and Carer Collaboration.” 2025. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-3-family-and-carer-collaboration. Accessed May 12, 2026.

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Mecourse Lifelong Learning. (2025, August 22). Scenario Page 3: Family and Carer Collaboration. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-3-family-and-carer-collaboration

IEEE

Mecourse Lifelong Learning, “Scenario Page 3: Family and Carer Collaboration.” Mecourse Lifelong Learning. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-3-family-and-carer-collaboration (Accessed: May 12, 2026).

AMA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 3: Family and Carer Collaboration. Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Published August 22, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-3-family-and-carer-collaboration.

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GOC Standard 10: Working Collaboratively with Colleagues in Optical Practice

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Scenarios: Family and Carer Collaboration

Scenario 5: Family Dominates Conversation

Scenario 6: Child with Parent Present

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