GOC publishes two new pieces of guidance to enhance patient safety

The General Optical Council (GOC) has published two new pieces of guidance on maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care for patients in vulnerable circumstances.

The new guidance has been finalised following feedback to the GOC’s consultation, which ran from July to October 2025. In response to the feedback received, the GOC has made changes to improve clarity and ensure correct emphasis.

Key changes include clarifying that adjustments to meet the needs of patients in vulnerable circumstances are not “reasonable adjustments” as required by law and emphasising that all sexual misconduct is serious.

The GOC drafted the two pieces of guidance following the publication of the new Standards of Practice, which introduced new requirements relating to the care of patients in vulnerable circumstances and maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries.

Steve Brooker, GOC Director of Regulatory Strategy, said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone that took part in our consultation. Your feedback has helped us finalise the guidance so that it is as effective and clear as possible.

This new guidance will provide registrants with extra support in interpreting some of the recent changes we have made to our standards, particularly in relation to caring for patients in vulnerable circumstances and maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries. We hope registrants will find these documents to be useful in supporting them to deliver safe and effective eye care for all.”

Read the new guidance on maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care for patients in vulnerable circumstances.