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 –
August 2020
3 August e-communication (both professions)
COVID-19 Communications (see also, the Board’s Special COVID-19 website page)
Special COVID-19 Update: 21 September 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: 12 August 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: 12 August 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: Level 1 Guidelines, 8 June 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: Level 2 Guidelines, 2 June 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: Level 2 Guidelines, 11 May 2020
Special COVID-19 Update, 4 May 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: Definition of Urgent Care and ‘Contact Tracing’, 24 April
Special COVID-19 Update: Level 3 Update, 23 April 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: Level 3 Guidelines, 15 April 2020
Special COVID-19 Update: Mental Wellbeing, 15 April 2020
Special COVID-19 Update, 7 April 2020
Special COVID-19 Update – Spectacles and Lenses, 1 April 2020
Special COVID-19 Acute and Emergency Care Update, 27 March 2020
Special COVID-19 Update, 26 March 2020
Ministry of Health Media Release – COVID-19, 25 March 2020
Special COVID-19 E-Communication, 24 March 2020
February 2020
December 2019
August 2019
March 2019
February 2019
December 2018
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.
Latest Newsletter
Follow the link below to read the latest Board E-Communication
This E-Communication was sent out to practitioners and stakeholders on 3rd August 2020
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
Optometrist APC Fee and Discipline Levy Proposal for 2019/20
A proposal to amend optometrist APC fees and to impose a discipline levy for the 2019/20 practising year.
Click here to access the consultation document.
Submissions closed on 30 November 2018.
Decision
Three submissions were received on this consultation. After careful consideration of the submissions the Board received, the Board resolved to approve its proposals in the consultation document to reduce the optometrist APC fee and to impose a disciplinary levy for the practising year commencing 1 April 2019.
Standards of Clinical Competence for Optometrists
A proposal to make changes to the Board’s Standards of Clinical Competence for Optometrists.
Click here to access the consultation document.
Decision
After careful consideration of the submissions the Board received on this consultation, the Board resolved to approve the revised standards with a few further minor amendments taking into consideration submission feedback. Click here to access the revised standards.
Proposal to Amend the Optical Dispensing Scope of Practice
The Board proposed to amend the Optical Dispensing Scope of Practice.
Click here to access the consultation document.
Decision
After careful consideration of the submissions the Board received on this consultation, the Board resolved to change the name of the scope of practice to the ‘Dispensing Optician Scope of Practice’, but not to make any amendments to the description of the scope of practice at this time, pending incorporation of formal auxiliary task training into all courses accredited for registration and/or via implementation of a postgraduate training course available to all Dispensing Opticians.
Recertification programme requirements for dispensing opticians
The Board proposed to amend the self-audit requirements for the CPD recertification programme for dispensing opticians.
Click here to access the consultation document. Click here to access the current CPD recertification programme for dispensing opticians.
Decision
After careful consideration of the submissions the Board received on this consultation, the Board resolved not to make any amendments to the self audit requirements for the recertification programme for dispensing opticians.
Proposal to Amend the Optical Dispensing Scope of Practice
The Board proposed to amend the Optical Dispensing Scope of Practice.
Click here to access the consultation document.
Decision
The Board has deferred a decision on this consultation and is seeking further advice and considering options. A formal decision on this consultation will be communicated in due course.
UNSW Proposal
A proposal to amend the qualification provided by the University of New South Wales, accredited by the Board for registration in the Optometrist Scope of Practice.
Click here to access the consultation document.
Click here to access Appendix 1
Click here to access Appendix 2
The Board welcomes submissions. Submissions are due 2 October 2018.
Review of Optometry Scopes of Practice
The Board consulted on proposals for change to the optometry scopes of practice in 2016.
Click here to view the consultation document.
Click here to view Appendix 1
Click here to view Appendix 2
Click here to view Appendix 3.
Submissions closed on the 23rd of December 2016.
Decision
Click here to view the Board decision made with respect to this consultation.
Click here to view the accompanying Notice of changes to Optometrist Scopes of Practice published in the New Zealand Gazette on the 9th of March 2017.
Review of Board Fees 2016
The Board also consulted on a proposal to impose a small disciplinary levy on dispensing opticians for the 2017/18 practising year in late 2016.
Click here to download the consultation document.
Submissions closed on the 9th of December 2016.
Decision
After careful consideration of the two submissions the Board received on this consultation, the Board resolved to confirm its proposal to impose a small disciplinary levy on dispensing opticians for the 2017/18 practising year.
Click here to view the accompanying Notice of changes to fees published in the New Zealand Gazette on the 22nd of December 2016.
If you would like information on any previous consultation issued by the Board, please contact the Board’s Registrar, Lindsey Pine, by clicking here.
