Following a review undertaken by the Associaton early in 2007 the AOP has created an Education Committee.
The Association's main committees are:
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Functions:
· develop the Association’s strategy for education, CET and CPD.
· seek opportunities to continue and enhance the Association’s work in providing education for optometrists and dispensing opticians.
· consider opportunities to provide wider non-CET education.
· provide representation on appropriate outside committees.
· advise other professions, employers and organisations on optometric matters.
· liaise with other AOP committees on relevant matters.
· handle matters dealing with education at all stages of the profession.
· deal with any other matters which may be delegated to the Committee from time to time.
The Education Committee will meet three times a year.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Functions:
· advise on membership matters generally;
· develop and review benefits for members;
· provide advice to members on matters such as finance, pensions and insurance etc.;
· advise on the wider aspect of business issues as they relate to optometric, including dispensing, practice.
· recommend on the need for conferences in its area of interest;
· deal with the relationship between the Association and local associations;
· provide the interface between the AOP and optometry students;
· deal with any other matters which may be delegated to the Committee from time to time.
The Membership Committee meets three times a year (Tuesdays).
NEGOTIATION AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE (formerly Public Affairs Committee)
The Committee must include one member from each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The Committee's remit is to consider and make specific recommendations to the Council and Board of Directors on the Association's policy towards:
· the National Health Service in the four countries of the United Kingdom
· related issues of health, consumer protection and the regulatory aspects of the practice of the profession.
· liaison with political and administrative institutions within the United Kingdom and European Union
· liaison with local organisations representing the profession
· liaison with other professional bodies where appropriate
· liaison with other committees and sections of the Association where appropriate.
The Committee meets three times a year (Wednesdays).
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
The Committee is responsible for all primary care matters, such as shared care and:
· provides advice to members on clinical and professional matters
· keeps a watching brief on optometric and clinical developments within the profession and appropriate outside bodies
· monitors VDU and occupational vision standards and to make recommendations where these affect our members
· provides representation on appropriate outside committees
· advises other professions, employers and organisations on optometric matters
· liaises with other AOP committees on relevant matters
· oversees the provision and development of CE
· monitors the advice in the primary care section of the AOP website and ensure that it remains relevant and up to date
· participates in email discussions and development of papers between committee meetings
· offers advice to AOP members and the Head of Professional Services as requested
· handles matters dealing with therapeutics
· deals with any other matters which may be delegated to the Committee from time to time
The Committee meets three times a year (Wednesdays).
[March 2008.]
