Professionals have a mandatory reporting duty if they are concerned that a child may have had FGM or be at risk of FGM. This could arise if the child / young person has told them that they have had FGM, or the professional has observed a physical sign appearing to show the patient has had FGM.
Further information is available on the Department of Health and Social Care website:
The General Optical Council has launched a consultation on two pieces of draft guidance: maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care of patients in vulnerable circumstances.
Our Standards for Optical Businesses define the standards that we expect of optical businesses to protect the public and promote high standards of care.
Our Standards of Practice define the nineteen standards of behaviour and performance we expect all registered optometrists and dispensing opticians to meet.
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.
