AOP appoints Dr Peter Hampson as clinical and policy director

A third-generation optometrist with a family history in optics spanning close to 100 years has been appointed clinical and policy director at the AOP.

Dr Peter Hampson joined the association as a clinical director in 2017 before being appointed professional and clinical director in 2021.

Hampson’s new role will see him work with the AOP chief executive, Board and Council to drive forward the AOP’s clinical and policy work as part of its Five-Year Strategy.

The AOP’s clinical and policy team will work alongside the communications team to grow the association’s influence within the sector – as well as externally by engaging with leaders, policy makers and the general public.

Hampson shared: “The AOP’s clinical and policy work plays a crucial role in shaping how our members practise now and in the future, enabling our members to fully utilise their training and talent, ensuring the brightest possible future for the optometric profession.”

“It is an exciting time to be taking on this new role. The new government has committed to making better use of optometry to tackle secondary care backlogs, and this represents an opportunity to move optometry forwards,” he said.

Hampson joined the AOP Council in 2012 and the AOP Board in 2014. In 2016, he became a Doctor of Optometry.

He highlighted that AOP policy work has highlighted the options available to the new government – including finding ways to move stable glaucoma patients into primary care, widening access to medications for all optometrists and ensuring that optometrists are seen as the first port of call for all patients with an eye problem.

“As an optometrist, I appreciate the skill, dedication and talent that exists within our profession. I also understand how hard the lack of funding has hit practices in some of the poorest parts of the country. Our commitment to ongoing research to understand the economic realities for High Street optometry will provide important insight as we seek to engage and influence policy makers in the months ahead,” he concluded.