New Hospital Optometrists Committee members announced

Three members elected to serve on the Hospital Optometrists Committee

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) welcomes two new members and one re-elected member to the Hospital Optometrists Committee (HOC).

Three positions were open for election, offering AOP members working in a hospital setting the opportunity to influence best practice in hospital optometry.

The newly elected members are:

Samuel Comely (re-appointed HOC Chair), Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Rosalind Creer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Katie Smith, University Hospital Bristol and Weston

Emma Spofforth, AOP Chairman, said: “We appreciate all of the candidates who stood in this year’s election. The expertise of the newly elected members will make a real contribution to the Committee’s work as it continues to advance excellence in hospital eye care.

“I also want to take this opportunity to share our gratitude to Martin Rubinstein, outgoing HOC Vice Chair, whose extraordinary professional expertise and contributions will be sorely missed by the Committee.

The HOC represents optometrists working in hospital settings, supports high standards in postgraduate hospital optometry and fosters collaboration between optometrists and wider healthcare teams.

The voting process for the 2026 election took place between 10 April and 24 April. AOP members working within a hospital setting were eligible to take part in the voting.

The successful candidates will serve a three-year term from September 2026 when they will formally assume their positions.