Optometrist and recently appointed clinical adviser to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS), Paul Chapman-Hatchett, stood down from AOP Council and Board earlier this year.
Speaking to OT about his time on Council, AOP Councillor representing domiciliary care optometrists, Chapman-Hatchett said: “Professionally, I found it really rewarding.”
Chapman-Hatchett was a domiciliary optometrist most of his career, and founded his own domiciliary eye care company, Care Opticians, which he ran for 25 years.
Passionate about the importance of domiciliary optometry as an eye care provision, Chapman-Hatchett’s initial motivation for joining AOP Council was “primarily driven by a desire to advocate for the domiciliary sector and really try and make sure the domiciliary voice was heard as loudly as possible at national level,” he said.
The optometrist said he was pleased that the AOP “recognised there was a need to have the voice of domiciliary on Council,” adding: “It was great to be able to talk about those experiences and challenges, and help other colleagues within Council to understand those.”
It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn to grow and to be part of a team that is influential in shaping the future of optometry
Speaking about the role of AOP Council, Chapman-Hatchett highlighted: “There’s a real opportunity to make sure that the views and the concerns of the domiciliary provider are heard as well as those of the domiciliary consumer.”
Sharing what he has most enjoyed about being an AOP Councillor over the years, Chapman-Hatchett said: “It was the opportunity to listen to other Council members and understand what my peers were experiencing, and how between us all, we could help drive positive change in the profession.”
Personally, Chapman-Hatchett believes that being part of AOP Council enabled him to strengthen both his leadership and communication skills. It also provided him with an “invaluable networking opportunity with other industry experts.”
He told OT he will miss both the camaraderie and the “open and frank discussions that you were able to have at Council.”
“The contacts, the relationships you could develop with other peers, is rewarding both personally and professionally,” he added.
Encouraging domiciliary optometrists to consider applying for a position on AOP Council, Chapman-Hatchett said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn to grow and to be part of a team that is influential in shaping the future of optometry.”
Get involved
The AOP will open applications for appointments to the above position on 17 March. For more information on what is involved in being a Councillor and how to apply, visit the AOP website.
Applications close on 11 April. Those appointed will officially take up their positions at the AOP’s Council meeting and AGM on 4 June.
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