GOC seeks views on sexual boundaries and care for vulnerable patients

The GOC has launched a consultation on draft guidance: maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care of patients in vulnerable circumstances.

The new guidance has been developed following updates to the Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians and Standards for Optical Students, which have made changes in both these areas.

The GOC produces guidance to support registrants to interpret the standards and is seeking views to ensure the draft guidance is clear, accurate and fully reflects the circumstances in which registrants practise or learn.

The draft guidance on appropriate sexual boundaries contains advice on relationships with current and former patients, professional relationships (e.g. with colleagues or students), creating open and supportive workplace environments, and reporting incidents of inappropriate conduct.

The draft guidance on care of patients in vulnerable circumstances was informed by the GOC’s public perceptions survey and lived experience research, which consider both inequalities of access and patient experience. It contains advice on making reasonable adjustments, workplace procedures, and identifying patients in vulnerable circumstances.

The consultation can be accessed via the GOC Consultation Hub and is available in both English and Welsh. Responses can also be sent directly to consultations@optical.org.

The consultation closes Friday 17 October.

Director of Regulatory Strategy, Steve Brooker, said:

“Our recent lived experiences and public perceptions research has shown that people with vulnerabilities are less satisfied with the eye care they receive. We hope this guidance will help registrants to ensure that everyone can access safe and effective eye care regardless of their individual circumstances.

Maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries protects patients and supports a safe working environment. There is increasing focus on sexual misconduct in society, and we hope this guidance will support registrants to understand the importance of these issues and maintain appropriate boundaries with patients and colleagues.

We welcome registrants’ views on the drafts to ensure the guidance is as effective and comprehensive as possible, so that we can all play a part in creating fairer and more inclusive eye care services for patients and professionals alike.”

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