New GOC Standards launched

New Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Standards for Optical Students, and Standards for Optical Businesses came into effect from 1 January 2025.

Writing on its website, the General Optical Council (GOC) said:

“Our standards outline the behaviours, attitudes, conduct and professional practice expected of our registrants. They describe the minimum standard of care which patients, and the public, can expect from optical professionals and inform our decision making about the Fitness to Practise of professionals.

“The changes to the standards have been made after a period of extensive consultation with our key stakeholders, including patients and the general public. The revised standards reflect developments in practise, such as the increased use of digital technologies, as well as the changing expectations of patients and the public, such as registrants identifying themselves and their role during a consultation.”

Registrants are required to utilise the new standards from 1 January 2025. Subsequent guidance to support registrants is available here.

What has changed?

Changes aim to improve the clarity and alignment of our standards to ensure that they reflect emerging changes in the sector. It is important to note that most of the existing standards have not changed, but key changes that have been put in place address the following:

• Delivering better care for patients in vulnerable circumstances.
• Requiring registrants to identify themselves and their role and advise patients who will provide their care.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, including prohibiting conduct of a sexual nature with patients.
• Promoting better workplace cultures by explicitly referencing inclusive behaviour between colleagues and ensuring employers support staff who have experienced discrimination, bullying or harassment in the workplace.
• Keeping updated on developments in digital technologies and applying professional judgement when utilising the data they generate to inform decision making.
• Maintaining confidentiality when sharing patient images online.
• Demonstrating leadership in practice, for example by supporting the education and training of others.

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