Standards for Optical Students

12.1 Respect a patient’s dignity, showing politeness and consideration.

12.2 Promote equality, value diversity and be inclusive in all your dealings with patients, the public, colleagues, and others with whom you have a professional relationship. Do not discriminate on the grounds of characteristics set out in relevant equalities legislation.

12.3 Ensure that your own religious, moral, political or personal beliefs and values do not prejudice patients’ care. If these prevent you from providing a service, ensure that you consult with your tutor, supervisor or training provider to make alternative arrangements.

12.4 Respect peers’ and colleagues' skills and contributions, and refrain from making unnecessary, or disparaging comments about your peers, tutors, supervisors, training provider or other colleagues, which could make a patient doubt their competence, skills, or fitness to practise. This applies to public, private, and online communications. If you have concerns about a colleague’s fitness to practise or the performance of your training provider or placement, then please refer to standard 10.

12.5 Consider and respond to the needs of patients with a disability, and patients in vulnerable circumstances, and make reasonable adjustments to your practice to accommodate these and improve access to optical care.

12.6 Challenge your peers if their behaviour is discriminatory and be prepared to report behaviour that amounts to abuse or denial of a patient’s or colleague’s rights or patient safety.