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  1. You are here:
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  3. Standards and guidance
  4. Standards
  5. Standards of Practice for optometrists and dispensing opticians
  6. 4. Show care and compassion for your patients

4. Show care and compassion for your patients

4.1 Treat others with dignity and show empathy and respect.

4.2 Respond with humanity and kindness to circumstances where patients, their family or carers may experience pain, distress or anxiety, including when communicating bad news.

In this section
  • Standards
    • Standards of Practice for optometrists and dispensing opticians
      • 1. Listen to patients and ensure they are at the heart of the decisions made about their care
      • 2. Communicate effectively with your patients
      • 3. Obtain valid consent
      • 4. Show care and compassion for your patients
      • 5. Keep your knowledge and skills up to date
      • 6. Recognise, and work within, your limits of competence
      • 7. Conduct appropriate assessments, examinations, treatments and referrals
      • 8. Maintain adequate patient records
      • 9. Ensure that supervision is undertaken appropriately and complies with the law
      • 10. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the interest of patients
      • 11. Protect and safeguard patients, colleagues and others from harm
      • 12. Ensure a safe environment for your patients
      • 13. Show respect and fairness to others and do not discriminate
      • 14. Maintain confidentiality and respect your patients’ privacy
      • 15. Maintain appropriate boundaries with others
      • 16. Be honest and trustworthy
      • 17. Do not damage the reputation of your profession through your conduct
      • 18. Respond to complaints effectively
      • 19. Be candid when things have gone wrong
    • Standards for Optical Students
    • Standards for Optical Businesses
  • Guidance

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