Disclosing confidential information

About this guidance and how it applies to you

We have produced this guidance to help our registrants in situations where they need to consider the professional requirement to maintain confidentiality alongside the need to ensure protection of patients and the public. This guidance does not create new requirements or give legal advice.
This guidance should be read alongside the Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, which all optometrists and dispensing opticians must apply to their practice and the Standards for Optical Students which all student optometrists and dispensing opticians must apply to their practice. Where we refer to both sets of standards, these will be referred to as “standards” for ease of reading. Where we refer to specific standards, we will put the number of the Standards for Optical Students in brackets after the number of the Standards of Practice, where applicable (e.g., 11(10)).
Standard 14(13) (annex 1) outlines the importance of keeping patient information confidential in compliance with the law.
Standard 11(10) (annex 1) outlines that you must be aware of, and comply with, your legal obligations in relation to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Promptly raise concerns about your patients, colleagues, employer or other organisation(s) if patient or public safety might be at risk. You can view our guidance on speaking up for support on raising concerns.
The requirement to maintain confidentiality is not absolute and can be overridden in cases where this is in the public interest, such as where there is a risk of public harm.
You should use your judgement to apply the guidance that follows to your own practice and the variety of settings in which you might work.
If you have any questions about this guidance or how to apply it, you should consider seeking further advice which, depending on the nature of your question, may involve contacting appropriate professional colleagues, your employer, your professional indemnity insurance provider, your professional or representative body, or obtaining independent legal advice. Student optometrists and student dispensing opticians can additionally seek advice from their tutor, supervisor or training provider.

Flowchart - what to do if a patient’s vision may not be fit to drive (opens in a new tab)