Voting now open for Hospital Optometrists Committee 2026 elections

Voting has opened for the AOP’s Hospital Optometrists Committee (HOC) elections, with three seats available.

The seven candidates standing for election are:

• Naila Abid, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
• Samuel Comely, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Rosalind Creer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
• Hussain Khambati, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Yetunde Obadeyi, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Martin Rubinstein, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
• Katherine Smith, University Hospital Bristol and Weston.

Eligible AOP members can cast their votes until 24 April. Results will be announced shortly after voting closes.

Successful candidates will begin their three-year term in September 2026, serving until September 2029.

The HOC helps the AOP represent the views of those working within the NHS hospital eye service. Members help to shape AOP policy, ensuring that hospital optometrists’ views are represented.

To be eligible to vote, AOP members must spend the majority of their professional time in a hospital setting with a Health Authority, Health Board, NHS Trust, or with an alternative NHS provider.

AOP members whose membership status reflects ‘Hospital’ will receive a unique voting link today (Friday 10 April 2026). The link will enable them to cast their vote securely via the online voting system.

Chief executive of the AOP, Adam Sampson, said: “The HOC plays a central role representing the views and priorities of our members working in hospital optometry – ensuring hospital optometrists are best placed to make a crucial contribution to the NHS.

“I strongly encourage all eligible members to take part in the election as the Committee continues to represent, support and advocate for the profession.”

More information can be found on the Hospital Optometrists Committee Election 2026 page on the AOP website.