College of Optometrists

15 May 2012 Return to news listings

We are consulting with optometrists as part of a review of the Code of Ethics and Guidance for Professional Conduct. The aim of the review is to ensure the guidance remains relevant, easy to navigate and reflects what optometrists want.

Responses to the first phase, which involved surveying optometrists, showed that most optometrists find the Code of Ethics and Guidance for Professional Conduct useful, but that it could be clearer and easier to use.

Further findings include:
•    Respondents find the guidance useful and do use it, but they feel the College could do more to raise awareness of it.
•    Some respondents think the guidance should be easier to use online; most feel that the search facility should be improved. There was also some criticism of the format, and respondents thought the style could be clearer and more concise.
•    Most respondents have access to a paper copy of the guidance; a small minority prefer hard copy to online versions.
•    Some patients asked for concise summaries of main information.

We are about to begin phase two of the review, which will consist of further questionnaires and telephone research.

Josephine Mullin, Director of Policy and Strategy, commented; “We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the review so far and would like to encourage more optometrists to get involved in phase two. The feedback submitted is essential in helping us to ensure that the guidance is relevant to users. Ultimately, we want our guidance to be easily accessible, concise and provide optometrists and other users with what they need.”

The guidance is important for a number of reasons.  College members and other optometrists use it to check the standards of practice required of them.  The guidance is also useful to others working in healthcare, and the General Optical Council refer to it in fitness to practice cases. 

For more information, and to get involved, please see www.college-optometrists.org/guidance . There you will find links to the online survey as well as to the report of the initial survey.

To find out more email barbara.mason@college-optometrists.org or call 020 7839 6000.