Board E-Communications

During the year, the Board regularly issues e-communications to practitioners and stakeholders that include news on the work of the Board, updates to policies, standards or guidelines, important information that practitioners need to be aware of, and requests for input and feedback.

Click on the links below to access recent e-communications issued by the Board –

The Board also issues consultations during the year via email. Information on these can be found on the ‘Latest news’ page of the Board’s website. Click here to go to this page.

Consultations

Current consultations

Consultation on Accreditation Standards for Optical Dispensing Education Programmes

The Board is consulting on Accreditation Standards for Optical Dispensing Education Programmes.

Click here to view the consultation document.

Click here to view Appendix 1

Click here to view Appendix 2

Submissions Close 21 May 2021.

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Previous consultations

Consultation on Revised Standards of Ethical Conduct for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians

The Board is consulting on a proposal to revise the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.

Click here to view the full consultation document (which contains all appendices).

Click here to view Appendix 1a

Click here to view Appendix 1b

Click here to view Appendix 2

Click here to view Appendix 3

Submissions closed on the 7 August 2020.

Consultation on a proposal to include Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Recertification Programmes for Dispensing Opticians and Optometrists

The Board is consulting on a proposal to include Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Recertification Programmes for Dispensing Opticians and Optometrists

Click here to view the full consultation document.

Submissions closed on the 7 August 2020.

Consultation on proposed changes to the DO Scope of Practice

The Board consulted on a proposal to amend the Dispensing Optician Scope of Practice.

Click here to view the consultation document.

Submissions closed on 21 February 2020.

Decision
Six submissions were received for this consultation.

Draft Naming Policy Consultation

The Board is required by recent changes to the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act) to develop a naming policy which describes the circumstances under which an optometrist or dispensing optician who is the subject of an order or determination may be publicly named. This policy must be in place by 11 April 2020. The Board recently consulted on a draft Naming Policy.

Click here to view the consultation document.

Submissions closed on 5 February 2020.

Decision
Three submissions were received for this consultation.

The final version of this policy can be found here.

Fees Consultation 2020/21

The Board consulted on a proposal to reduce the disciplinary for optometrists for the practising/financial year commencing 1 April 2020.

Click here to view the consultation document.

Submissions closed on 17 January 2020.

Decision
One submission was received for this consultation, indicating no objection to the proposal. The Board resolved to proceed with its proposal and a new Fees Notice was published in the New Zealand Gazette on the 29th of January 2020.

FBDO (Malaysia) Qualification Amendment

The Board consulted on a proposal to amend one of the qualifications currently prescribed for the Dispensing Optician Scope of Practice. This proposal related to the FBDO (Malaysia) qualification offered by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

Click here to view the consultation document.

Submissions closed on 9 October 2019.

Decision
Two submissions were received for this consultation, both in support of the proposal. The Board resolved to proceed with its proposal and a new Scopes of Practice notice was published in the New Zealand Gazette on the 13th of December 2019.

Removal of requirement for Edging and Fitting unit

The Board consulted on a proposal to amend one of the qualifications currently prescribed for the Dispensing Optician Scope of Practice. This proposal relates to the Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing qualification offered by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

Click here to view the consultation document.

Submissions closed on 20 September 2019.

Decision

The Board received 9 submissions on the Board’s consultation; 2 from interested organisations and 7 from individual practitioners.

Introduction of requirement for ethical and cultural CPD in recertification programmes

The Board consulted on a proposal to modify the requirements of the recertification programmes it has set for the two professions.

Click here to view the consultation document.

Submissions closed on 6 September 2019.

Decision

The Board received five submissions on the Board’s consultation; 1 from an interested organisation and four from individual practitioners. All supported the introduction of the requirement so long as there was adequate CPD available. The Board considered these submissions and resolved to proceed with its proposal. The Board intends to ensure it makes adequate CPD available, including at annual Association conferences. The Board further resolved to encourage practitioners to bring anything they hear or learn about to the Board’s attention so that the Board can approach the organiser to be accredited.

Latest Newsletter

Follow the link below to read the latest Board E-Communication

This E-Communication was sent out to practitioners on the 12th of April 2021

Click here

New Board Members

New Board Members Appointed

On the 21st May 2020, two new Board members were appointed to the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board. Zoe Ross was appointed to the Board as a dispensing optician member. Ravi Dass was appointed as an optometrist member.

To read more about the Board members follow the link below:

Meet the Board