22 December 2024
I think people are often confused by what policy is – it can feel like a bit of a nebulous term. Policy can be defined as: what we think should happen, what we think in response to something that has happened, and how we are going to try to make it better – either for our members, or the world more generally.
The AOP policy briefings are a joint product between the AOP’s communications and policy teams to make policy more accessible, engage members in the topics, and let them know what we are doing in relation to the issues raised.
At the AOP, the policy team will take a subject and consider how it will affect our members. For example, the Labour Government has talked about moving care closer to the community, out of hospital settings and into primary care. We’re trying to see what that means for our members, and how optometry can support that aim, by utilising the skills of our members.
We know that our members are really busy, but that many would be interested in some of the big policy discussions taking place. The Lord Darzi report, for example, was something we knew members would be interested in, but the report was very long. Some members will read it and digest all of the details, and that is great, but others will just want to know how it is going to affect optometry.
We thought that producing a simple one-page summary of major policy news would be a helpful way for members to stay on top of, and digest, the updates. The AOP’s policy briefings cover what has happened, what we’re going to do, and what it means for members. We want to be able to explain what these wider reports mean and why members might want to have a conversation with their MP or local commissioners about it.
The AOP policy briefings are for everybody. If policy feels more accessible, then maybe a proportion of members will look at the full reports and ask questions, or perhaps be motivated to get involved with their Local Optical Committee.
Our members need to care about politics and policy because if economic policy changes within the Government – for example, in terms of where money is spent within the NHS – that directly affects what they do day-to-day.
It is easy to think that politics is just Westminster. But if you think of something that affects your day-to-day life, it is probably rooted in politics somewhere. I think that is why it really matters to our members.
I hope that the AOP policy briefings make members inquisitive. We know we have lots of talented people in the sector, but often people think that they can’t help.
The AOP is always looking for new Council members as the election cycle and appointments come around. What the sector needs is good, interested people, who have got a view on something and want to try to make the world a bit better.
If the policy briefings help two groups of people – those that might want to get involved, and those who don’t have the time but want to know what is going on in the sector – then I think we will have achieved what we set out to.What the sector needs is good, interested people, who have got a view on something and want to try to make the world a bit better
We are open to feedback on what members think of the policy briefings. We are trying to keep them short and sweet, but the level of detail and how we deliver these briefings is open to being varied.
AOP policy briefings so far in 2024 have covered the Lord Darzi report, the Chancellor’s statement on NHS pay, theGOC Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2024, along with Change NHS: help to build a health service fit for the future, and a response to the autumn Budget.
Find the AOP’s policy briefings, summarising key policy updates and what they mean for members, on the website: www.aop.org.uk/our-voice/policy/policy-briefings
Coming up at the AOP
1 OT CPD closes 29 December 2024
The video exam in OT’s Survival pack will close on 29 December, while all other exams will close on 31 December. Make sure you have secured your final points.2 100% Optical education 14 January 2025
AOP members who have registered for 100% Optical will receive early access to the education programme. Register for the show online.3 AOP events schedule March
The spring/summer events programme will go live in March. Keep an eye on the AOP events page for details.Rewind
A review of AOP activity in the last two months
Don’t swerve a sight test
In November, the AOP ran its latest Don’t swerve a sight test campaign – promoting the importance of good vision for safe driving to the public. The campaign highlighted new research from its members showing that the majority of optometrists have a patient who remains on the UK’s roads regardless of their poor vision, with half of these witnessing multiple patients driving illegally. Findings are supported by a public poll where as many as one in seven people say they know a relative, friend or co-worker who is driving despite having eyesight below the legal standard. To help raise public awareness and get involved visit the campaign page.
Supporting the return to work
On 4 November, the AOP held a day of primary care education for optometrists who are or have recently been on a career break. The event was supported by Johnson & Johnson as headline sponsor and had 20 places. Read insight on returning to the profession after parental leave inOT’s article.
Patient leaflets relaunch
The AOP has relaunched its entire suite of patient information leaflets with more than 30 resources now available. The suite of assets includes patient-friendly information on eye health and eye conditions alongside expert advice and tips. With the Crystal Mark seal of approval, all leaflets are easy to read and accessible in a simple, single page format for patients. The resources are free to download for use in practice.
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