Hospital Optometrists

HOC represents the interests of those members who are employed within the hospital service. This group of members has specific needs and aspirations, which in many ways are different from their colleagues in general optometric practice. The committee has a wide range of interests including NHS employment terms and conditions, NHS regulations, development of guidelines, liaison with allied professions, promoting high standards of practice. The AOP Hospital Optometrists’ Annual Conference is organised by the committee as a weekend conference.

The Hospital Optometrists Committee consists of:

1. its chairman, elected by the Committee, and nominated to serve on the AOP Council to represent hospital optometrists
2. seven hospital optometrists elected by members at the Hospital Optometrists Annual Conference
3. up to seven councillors who may be appointed by Council
4. ex officio members

The Association has made an agreement with the trades union UNITE under which UNITE provides negotiating support for hospital optometrist members at a local level. HOC also hosts national meetings of Heads of Departments (HODS) twice per year.

The Committee meets four times per year. One meeting is held alongside the Hospital Optometrists’ Annual Conference.

AOP will provide membership of the trades union UNITE for members employed in the hospital service who wish to take up this additional AOP membership benifit.  UNITE can give valuable support in the event of disputes or difficulties at local trust level.  Contact Mr Alan Lester at the AOP offices for an application form. alanlester@aop.org.uk

Kevin Gales is Chairman of the Committee

Andrew Tompkin is Committee Secretary
Tel: 0151-706 3900/3901
E-mail aptompkin@tompkin..org.uk