About this course
This course is relevant to the whole optical team.
CPD Time: 90 minutes (1.50 CE Credits)
Assessment: 10 MCQs. Pass mark 80%. more…
On passing the assessment you will immediately receive a CPD Certificate.
Customer feedback on this course
- Clear, practical steps to apply Standard 13 in everyday clinics.
- Useful scripts and checklists I can use at the point of care.
- Helped our team reduce ambiguity around commercial conversations.
- Good balance of legal context and simple, usable behaviours.
- Practical scenarios made recognising bias much easier.
Aim:
The aim of this course is to enable optical staff to demonstrate respect, fairness and non-discrimination in line with GOC Standard 13 through practical behaviours, documentation and team controls.
Course objective:
• Embed respectful, inclusive communication and decision-making across consultations and dispensing interactions.
• Provide tools to recognise and prevent discriminatory behaviours, to manage disrespect professionally, and to record accountability consistently.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will:
• define respect, fairness and non-discrimination in the context of optical practice.
• demonstrate inclusive communication and adjustments for accessibility and interpreters.
• recognise discriminatory behaviours and micro-biases and apply mitigations.
• apply fairness when prioritising care, advising on products, and documenting decisions.
• reflect on practice, use feedback and simple audits to sustain respectful, equitable care.
GOC Development Outcomes:
Standard 13
Learning content:
Aim | Objectives | Anticipated Learning Outcomes | Introduction: Why Respect and Fairness Matter | Professional Respect in Everyday Practice | Scenario Page 1: Everyday Respect | Fairness in Patient Care | Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action | Recognising and Avoiding Discrimination | Scenario Page 3: Discrimination in Practice | Managing Disrespect from Others | Scenario Page 4: Handling Disrespectful Behaviour | Reflection and Continuous Improvement | MCQ | Reading List
View full course description
GOC Standard 13: Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination in Optical Practice
Course Description
GOC Standard 13: Respect, Fairness, and Non-Discrimination in Optical Practice
This module gives optical registrants and practice teams practical, evidence-based actions to embed respect, fairness and non-discrimination across consultations, dispensing and team interactions. The focus is on behaviours, records and team systems that protect patient safety and build trust.
Introduction: Why Respect and Fairness Matter
This section explains the links between respectful practice, patient safety and complaint reduction. It highlights situations where fairness is tested and why consistent behaviours matter.
Professional Respect in Everyday Practice
Learn concise behaviours: listening, body language, tone, promoting autonomy and shared decisions, working with carers and interpreters, and managing time pressure without compromising dignity.
Scenario Page 1: Everyday Respect
Practical adaptations for rushed consultations, appropriate inclusion of carers, and clear record-keeping to show accountability.
Fairness in Patient Care
Cover consistent recommendations, prioritisation by clinical need, transparent handling of commercial options, and reasonable adjustments for accessibility.
Scenario Page 2: Fairness in Action
Examples balancing overruns and waiting patients, avoiding commercial pressure, and documenting clinical rationale.
Recognising and Avoiding Discrimination
Define protected characteristics, direct and indirect discrimination, micro-behaviours and unconscious bias, with practical mitigations such as checklists and interpreter use.
Scenario Page 3: Discrimination in Practice
Reception inclusion for people with learning disabilities, culturally sensitive handling of dress or modesty, and recording preferences.
Managing Disrespect from Others
Techniques to name behaviour not the person, use de-escalation scripts, escalate appropriately and support staff. Guidance on factual incident records is included.
Scenario Page 4: Handling Disrespectful Behaviour
Maintain the patient’s voice, set boundaries around discriminatory language, apply policy and manage rebooking safely.
Reflection and Continuous Improvement
Structured reflection, feedback loops, simple audits and training to sustain respectful, equitable care.
MCQ
Ten multiple-choice questions test key practice checks, communication examples and fairness principles. Pass mark 80%.
Reading List
Key references: GOC standards and guidance, Equality Act and EHRC materials, Accessible Information Standard and CQC, NICE shared decision-making and carers guidance, plus records, complaints and staff safety resources.
Course Completion
Participants complete a feedback survey, take the MCQ and receive a CPD certificate on passing. The course encourages reflection and application of the behaviours in practice.
You can copy and adapt this example PDP entry for your own needs and circumstances.
| PDP Learning or Maintenance need |
| Apply GOC Standard 13 in everyday optical practice |
| How does this relate to my field of practice? |
| Ensures consultations, dispensing and team interactions are dignified, equitable and legally compliant. |
| Which development outcome(s) does it link to? |
| Standard 13 — Respect, fairness and non-discrimination |
| What benefit will this have to my work? |
| Reduced complaints, clearer records, safer shared decisions and improved patient trust. |
| How will I meet this learning or maintenance need? |
| Complete this course, practice scripted responses, and apply quick fairness checks in clinics. |
| When will I complete the activity? |