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Membership benefits 2022

New membership benefits

Protecting you

Supporting you

Guidance for members on GOC investigations, cases and hearings explaining what happens at each stage and how we support you through the process

AOP Mentoring Programme to assist members to prosper in their chosen careers, work towards developmental goals and grow in confidence

Template letters to guide employers communicating with employees and workers about grievances, disciplinaries and redundancies

Online AOP Locum logbook , kindly supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision

Template employment policies including maternity leave, sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance, and the menopause

www.aop.org.uk/benefits

New patient leaflets including a domiciliary eye care patient leaflet, myopia management information and UV and eye health Optometry Today (OT) guides for the Practice team and Locum optometrists, and on Myopia, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision and CooperVision

Representing you New Council structure and student committee to ensure all membership modes of practice and career stages are represented Strategy for Optometry – our vision for the future of optometry across the UK, where optometrists play a larger role in the provision of NHS eye care Consultation responses including on healthcare regulation, illegal practise, Fitness to Practise process and Educational requirements for specialist qualifications

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Core services and benefits

Insurance and legal protection that gives you peace of mind

Representation in the profession

Our insurance cover and defence is tailor-made for optometrists and dispensing opticians whether you’re self-employed, an employer or a locum. We also provide vicarious liability cover for lay-practice owners.

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.

Extended education and professional development programme

Pre-reg register and vacancy list

Our 2022 programme will cover the requirements of the new three-year education cycle, delivering high-quality professional development and health and wellbeing content to meet members’ needs. Most of the programme will be available to members at no additional cost online, in print and at regional events, conferences and exhibitions.

Optometry Today — in print and online We deliver our journal, Optometry Today, directly to you in print, as well as online. Plus, we’ll keep you informed about optics and eye health news through our weekly newsletter.

Specialist advice and guidance from our in-house teams Whether you’re dealing with a legal issue, have a clinical query or simply want career advice, our in-house team of lawyers, clinical advisers and regulatory professionals offer free and confidential advice whenever you need it.

Tailored support for locum members We provide tailored support for locum members, for example, through our online AOP Locum logbook, designed to help locums keep track of items for which they are potentially responsible. Our locum vacancies list is also available for members to advertise positions free of charge.

www.aop.org.uk/benefits

Students and pre-reg optometrists with active memberships can list their availability for a placement on our pre-reg register. Practices can advertise a vacancy for free on our pre-reg vacancy list.

GOS audit tool 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 the future.

Legal advice line for non-optometry issues You can 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 neighbour disputes, landlord and tenant issues, intellectual property queries, criminal enquiries and a lot more.

HM Revenue & Customs investigations and disputes cover 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.

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AOP members have access to preferential rates on a range of specialist products and services, for your practice and everyday needs. These include practice insurance, income protection, and financial advice, as well as a range of home and travel insurance.

Everyday insurance essentials

For your practice

Home insurance

Locum insurance

Travel insurance Property owners’ insurance

Affinity partner benefits

Life insurance Critical illness cover

Financial planning Investments and savings advice Pension and retirement planning Independent financial advice

Financial advice and specialist insurance with our affinity partner Lloyd & Whyte

Fee-free mortgage advice Advice for newly-qualified optometrists Wills and lasting power of attorneys (LPAs)

AOP is acting as introducer. If you have any queries as to the suitability of the provider or products shown you should seek independent financial advice. AOP receives a small commission for successful referrals.

Practice insurance Income protection Workplace pensions Commercial finance

Other affinity partner benefits DBS checks to protect your reputation Specialist help with your tax and accountancy needs Support with your finances through debtcollection services www.aop.org.uk/benefits

www.aop.org.uk/lloydandwhyte

AO P M entoring Pro gr a mme

The AOP mentoring programme matches experienced optometrist members with pre-registration and newly-qualified optometrists to help them with professional development and career goals.

Create a roadmap for your success with a mentor The programme will expand to meet the needs of more members in 2022. To find out more and register for a mentor visit www.aop.org.uk/mentoring

Promoting the profession, protecting the professional