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GOC Standard 15: Professional Boundaries in Optical Practice (Level 1)

Maintaining Safe, Respectful, and Professional Relationships (Within S15)

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GOC Standard 15: Boundaries
Why Boundaries Matter
Types of Boundaries
Boundary Awareness
Emotional Boundaries
Emotional Challenges
Digital & Social Boundaries
Digital Boundaries
Dual Relationships & Distance
Dual Relationship Dilemmas
Domiciliary & Community Boundaries
Sexual Boundary Challenges
Reflection & Continuous Improvement
GOC Standard 15: Boundaries
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Scenarios: Sexual Boundary Challenges

Sexual boundary breaches and harassment harm patients and staff. Early, firm responses protect dignity and prevent escalation, while records show proportionality and accountability.^[7]^[3]

Scenario

You are midway through a routine clinic slot when a patient begins making repeated suggestive comments and then asks if you might meet them after the appointment. You try a light deflection to steer the conversation back to the clinical issue, but the comments continue and the patient's requests become more insistent. The room feels increasingly uncomfortable and the interaction is starting to disrupt the clinical task.

How should the clinician set boundaries while keeping everyone safe?

Name the boundary calmly: "We keep conversations professional here."^[3]
Redirect to the clinical task and, if behaviour persists, end the appointment and arrange a different clinician if care must continue.^[3]
Ensure another staff member is nearby or present.^[4]
Record exact words used where relevant, the boundary set, actions taken, and any letters sent about expected behaviour.^[3]

Scenario

In the staff room and near reception a colleague repeatedly makes sexual innuendos framed as "banter." Several team members look uncomfortable, and the comments sometimes occur when patients or visitors are nearby. The behaviour has become a recurring pattern rather than isolated remarks.

What is the professional response that supports a safe workplace?

State the impact, not the motive: "That language makes the team uncomfortable and isn't appropriate here."^[3]
Ask for it to stop and raise with a manager if it continues.^[5]
Use the dignity at work or bullying/harassment policy and offer support to anyone targeted.^[5]
Record dates, times, witnesses, and steps taken so patterns are visible.^[5]

Phrases and system supports

Short phrases protect clarity under stress. "I'm ending the appointment now because of inappropriate comments; reception will rebook with a colleague," balances firmness and care. "We don't use sexual language at work; if it happens again I'll escalate," signals consequences without aggression. Chaperone posters and behaviour notices positioned where patients can see them help expectations stay clear.^[4]^[6]

Accountability details to capture

Who/what/when/why - who was involved, what was said or done, when boundaries were set, and why the chosen action was proportionate to risk.^[5]^[1]
Immediate safety - who was asked to attend as second staff, what room changes were made, and whether a different clinician was arranged.^[3]
Follow-up - whether letters were sent, training refreshed, or policy applied; and who owns the review date.^[1]

References (numbered in text)

Standards of practice for optometrists and dispensing opticians (effective from 1 January 2025), General Optical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
Principles of maintaining boundaries, College of Optometrists Find (opens in a new tab)
Maintaining personal and professional boundaries, General Medical Council (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
Intimate examinations and chaperones, General Medical Council (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual harassment guidance, Acas (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual safety in healthcare – organisational charter, NHS England (2023) Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual harassment against female nurses: a systematic review, BMC Nursing (2020) 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):

Sexual boundary breaches harm patients and staff and require early, proportionate action to protect dignity.
Use calm, clear language to name the boundary and redirect to the clinical task.
If inappropriate behaviour persists, end the appointment safely and arrange alternative clinician if care must continue.
Ensure another staff member is present or nearby for immediate safety and visibility.
Record detailed, contemporaneous notes: exact words, boundary set, actions taken, witnesses and any letters sent.
Address colleague 'banter' by stating its impact, asking for it to stop and escalating to managers if needed; log dates, times and witnesses.
Use short, rehearsed scripts to preserve clarity under stress and set expectations for consequences.
Display chaperone posters and behaviour notices; make chaperones and escalation routes easy to access.
Design controls (room layout, exit routes, panic buttons) to reduce recurrence and protect staff in domiciliary and clinic settings.
Adjust communication for patients with neurodiversity or cognitive impairment while maintaining firm boundaries and documenting the tailored plan.
Encourage confidential reporting and near‑miss logging to capture early signals and support debriefing and occupational health referrals.
Escalate to police when behaviour is threatening, persistent or criminal and preserve evidence in line with policy.

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Domiciliary & Community Boundaries Reflection & Continuous Improvement

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Course Snapshot

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Length: 75 minutes CPD (1.25 CE Credits)
Appropriate for: Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians, Optical Assistants, Practice Managers, Locums and Students in optical practice.
Course Price: Free
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Harvard

Mecourse Lifelong Learning (2025) ‘Scenario Page 5: Sexual Boundary Challenges’. Mecourse Lifelong Learning [Online]. Available at: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-5-sexual-boundary-challenges [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Vancouver

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 5: Sexual Boundary Challenges [Internet]. Mecourse Lifelong Learning; 2025 Aug 22 [cited 2026 May 12]. Available from: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-5-sexual-boundary-challenges.

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Mecourse Lifelong Learning. “Scenario Page 5: Sexual Boundary Challenges.” 2025. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-5-sexual-boundary-challenges. Accessed May 12, 2026.

APA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. (2025, August 22). Scenario Page 5: Sexual Boundary Challenges. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-5-sexual-boundary-challenges

IEEE

Mecourse Lifelong Learning, “Scenario Page 5: Sexual Boundary Challenges.” Mecourse Lifelong Learning. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-5-sexual-boundary-challenges (Accessed: May 12, 2026).

AMA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 5: Sexual Boundary Challenges. Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Published August 22, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-5-sexual-boundary-challenges.

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GOC Standard 15: Professional Boundaries in Optical Practice (Level 1)

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