member benefit s 2021
Ne w benefits Protect
Support
Represent
1 AOP Infection control and prevention certificate, designed by our expert clinical team to give optometrists and dispensing opticians, and your patients, confidence and reassurance in practice
1 Pre-reg register for students and pre-reg members to list their availability for pre-reg placements
1 Influencing government, the NHS and the GOC in our members’ interests – including arguing for changes to the GOC’s strategic plan, regulatory statements, CET scheme and education rules
1 Clinical guidance on practice and equipment hygiene, PPE, sight tests, referrals, remote consultations, and meeting the eye health needs of shielding, isolating and domiciliary patients 1 Expert employment law guidance on the latest government regulations, and answering our employed, selfemployed and business owner members’ most common questions
1 Locum vacancies list for members to advertise locum positions free of charge, to support both our practice-owning members and locum members in search of work 1 Extensive webinar programme for education, professional development, and health and wellbeing 1 COVID-19 practice resources to display on your practice door and walls to explain what rules patients need to follow 1 Our new racism and discrimination guidance and dedicated team provides advice and information on tackling racism and discrimination at work
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1 As part of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) and the other UK optometry bodies, negotiating better NHS support for optical practices during and after the COVID-19 lockdown 1 Our #EyeCareEssentials campaign reminds the public of what they can do to keep eyes healthy as many are adjusting their lifestyles in the current environment
Core services Insur a nce a nd l eg a l pr otec tion th at g i v e s you pe ace of mind
Speci a l is t a dv ice a nd guida nce fr om our in-house te a ms
The insurance cover and legal defence is tailor-made for optometrists and dispensing opticians, including if you’re self-employed, an employer or a locum. We also provide vicarious liability as standard as part of your membership, as long as all optometrists in the business (owners, employees and locums) are AOP members.
Whether you’re dealing with a legal issue, need employment law advice or have a clinical query, our in-house team of lawyers, clinical advisers and regulatory professionals offer free and confidential advice whenever you need it.
Optometry Today — in pr int a nd onl ine We deliver our award-winning journal Optometry Today (OT) directly to you in print, as well as online. Plus, we’ll keep you informed about optics and eye health through our weekly e-newsletter.
A N E X TENSIVE EDUC ATION A ND PROFESSION AL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Offering high quality CET and CPD content to meet the varying needs of our members, whatever your career stage or mode of practice, and supporting you during the final year of the current CET cycle.
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Core services R epr e sentation in the pr ofe s sion We give you the chance to shape the eye health agenda through our consultation responses, campaigns and Council, and we represent you to government, media and the public.
GOS aud it to ol Our secure online tool can help AOP member GOS contractors in England who are currently the subject of a GOS reclaim or concerned about possible GOS reclaims in future.
AOP Peer Supp or t L ine Free, confidential emotional support for individuals at any stage of their career – 0800 870 8401.
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L eg a l a dv ice l ine f or nonop tome tr y is sue s You can also access our free legal advice line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all legal enquiries, not necessarily related to your work. The advice line can assist you with things like neighbour disputes, landlord and tenant issues, intellectual property queries, criminal enquiries and more.
HM R e v enue & Cus toms in v e s tig ations a nd d isp ute s cov er AOP members receive automatic cover through Markel Tax in respect of tax investigations and VAT disputes as a right of membership, worth more than £400.
Ta ilor ed supp or t f or lo cum member s We provide tailored support for locum members, for example, through our AOP locum logbook, locum register and free locum vacancy list (see page two). We also produce webinars, events and employment law guidance to address the specific needs of our locum members.
Onl ine communit y f orums Through our online community forums, you’re connected to more than 16,500 optometry professionals and students across the UK, giving you the opportunity to network, contribute to discussions or to simply get a second opinion.
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affinit y partner benefits Exclusi v e insur a nce pr od uc t s a nd fin a nci a l a dv ice Members have access to specialist financial advice and preferential rates on essential home, travel and practice insurance, pension advice and retirement planning, delivered through our affinity partner Lloyd & Whyte.
DBS check s to pr otec t your r ep utation We’ve partnered with Complete Background Screening Ltd (CBS) to provide DBS (previously CRB) checks at a reasonable rate. The partnership includes enhanced level disclosure for joining the NHS Performers List.
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AOP PEER SUPPORT LINE
0800 870 8401 Feeling stressed or worried? Talking it through can help. Our trained volunteers are ready to listen and support 7 days a week Calls are free and confidential
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Promoting the profession, protecting the professional
www.aop.org.uk/benefits
Š Association of Optometrists 2020