References to multi-disciplinary teamworking skills:
7.7 When in doubt, consult with professional colleagues appropriately for advice on assessment, examination, treatment and other aspects of patient care, bearing in mind the need for patient confidentiality.
9.2 Only delegate to those who have appropriate qualifications, knowledge or skills to perform the delegated activity.
9.4 Retain clinical responsibility for the patient. When delegating you retain responsibility for the delegated task and for ensuring that it has been performed to the appropriate standard.
10.1 Work collaboratively with colleagues within the optical professions and other healthcare practitioners in the best interests of your patients, ensuring that your communication is clear and effective.
10.2 Refer a patient only where this is clinically justified, done in the interests of the patient and does not compromise patient care or safety. When making or accepting a referral it must be clear to both parties involved who has responsibility for the patient's care.
10.3 Ensure that those individuals or organisations to which you refer have the necessary qualifications and registration so that patient care is not compromised.
10.4 Ensure that patient information is shared appropriately with others, and clinical records are accessible to all involved in the patient's care.
10.5 Where disagreements occur between colleagues, aim to resolve these for the benefit of the patient.