FAQs

What does the AOP do?

The AOP’s members are individual optometrists and dispensing opticians who practise in a variety of ways (for example, in the high street, in hospitals, visiting housebound patients). The AOP represents their interests as individuals as well as the interests of the profession as a whole.

Optometrists need to be insured in order to practise; the AOP provides that insurance to all its members. It also advises them about clinical and regulatory issues; in short, it does what it can to support its members in their practice.

Why should I join?

You should join because there is no other organisation in this sector which is dedicated to looking after you and all your professional needs, with no conflicts of interest. Our insurance is much more than just insurance. Other insurance may help defend a civil claim and pay any subsequent damages. It won’t fight your corner against the GOC or in a PCT or Health Board disciplinary case. It won’t advise you if you fall out with your employer. AOP membership will do all of this and more. We defend members’ interests and reputations which an employer’s insurance is not necessarily going to do.

Who runs the AOP?

The members run the AOP. The AOP has a Council elected by the membership. The Council choose a Board of Directors and the Board elects a chairman every year. There is a staff team employed to implement the strategy set by the Board.

My employer has professional indemnity insurance which covers me; why should I get my own?

Employers’ policies may be enough to satisfy legal requirements but, remember, the insurer will look after his client and that isn’t you. Usually your employer’s interests and yours will coincide, but there are occasions when they won’t and you may have to face the consequences alone. Even where your employer’s policy settles a claim on behalf of both you and the employer, it will not protect you from any actions to discipline or dismiss you, (arising out of the claim) that your employer may take.

Employed optometrists who rely on their employer’s insurance will not be covered if they undertake locum work in practices which are not their employer’s. The AOP’s insurance covers you for all modes of optometric practice and all employers.

The AOP legal team, including five solicitors, works exclusively with our members. Their experience in defending claims in the optical sector is unparalleled.

I only want the insurance and not all the ‘other stuff’; can I pay a smaller fee?

No. The AOP believes that it is important that there is a properly funded body to represent the interests of individual optometrists; the work it does benefits the whole profession and the AOP believes it would be unfair for some to take the benefit without contributing.

I only work part-time. Is there a part-time category of membership?

Yes, there is. The concessionary category of membership is for members who work 100 days per year or less.

I work for a multiple and am covered by their insurance policy, but I want to do a couple of days locum work. Do I really need to get insurance for just that?

It is a legal requirement to have insurance for your work. Your employer’s insurance does not cover you for work done as a locum for other employers. Bear in mind that the AOP’s insurance covers all the work that you do as an optometrist – no matter who that work is done for. Concessionary membership is only available to those who work a total of 100 days or less, including the days you work for your usual employer, whose insurance policy covers you for the work done for that practice. The AOP does not offer ‘top-up’ cover for extra days worked elsewhere.

How can I get involved in the work that the AOP does?

Any member can stand for a position on Council. If you are interested, please contact the AOP at postbox@aop.org.uk. Elections take place annually.

I want to join the AOP Council but I don’t know if I can spare the time. What is involved?

Council meets three times a year – twice for one day and once for two days. There are also other committees and consultation groups, which you may wish to get involved in. There is likely to be some topic that fits in with your own interests.

If you are interested at all, please do get in touch – we actively encourage our members to get involved with the running of the organisation – after all, we represent your interests and if you don’t tell us what they are, how can we find out? So, give us a call and we will be delighted to talk to you about what is involved.

Out of practice expenses are paid.

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