Being on the AOP Hospital Optometrists Committee

As the Hospital Optometrists Committee (HOC) calls for new applications to join the committee, hospital optometrist and committee member Thomas Hamper is urging colleagues to embrace the opportunity to help shape the future of hospital eye care.

Hamper, who is a hospital optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and joined the HOC in 2018, told OT that the role offers far more than many expect – from influencing policy to driving the profession forward at national level.

Hamper was first inspired to join after hearing peers speak about the committee and their experiences at the Hospital and Specialty Optometrists’ Conference (HSOC).

“It seemed like something that was really interesting – when I heard people speak about it at the HSOC, you could tell that the people who were doing it were quite passionate about what was happening outside of their own hospital,” he said.

Initially, Hamper assumed that the committee’s work was largely centred on conference organisation. However, his experience quickly broadened that perception.

“Initially, my expectation was that it was just a conference planning role, but over time it’s grown. It’s a lot more than that. It’s also about advisory, policy and driving the profession forward in the hospital setting,” he explained.

A key element of the role, Hamper noted, is contributing to discussions around legislative and policy changes affecting hospital optometrists and the wider NHS hospital eye service.

“It’s actually advising on legislative changes and policies. It feels worthwhile, and you can see changes and plans going into action which is nice,” he said.

For Hamper, the national insight he has gained through the HOC over his eight-year tenure has been equally valuable.

“It’s been really rewarding to see what life is like outside of your own department, to get a sense of what’s happening in England and also the four nations as well,” he told OT.

Reflecting on his own journey on committee as he reaches the end of his tenure, Hamper believes participation in the HOC offers both professional influence and personal development.

“It helps broaden your horizons and helps you think a bit more realistically about your position in the NHS as a practitioner – it’s definitely worthwhile doing,” he said.

With applications now open, Hamper is clear in his message to peers considering putting themselves forward: “100% go for it. It’s interesting, it’s really rewarding, and you’ll learn a lot about the more legislative and body corporate side of NHS hospital eye service.”

“If you’re interested in representing hospital optometrists, if you’re interested in finding out more about the role in which you work, definitely go for it,” he added.

There are three positions up for election on the HOC. Applications are open from today (18 March) until 3 April. Those who wish to apply can fill in a nomination form on the AOP website. Voting then runs from 10–24 April, with successful candidates announced on 12 May.