New Zealand’s Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB) has appointed Specsavers store partner Ian Russell as a Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) member.
Ian, who joined Specsavers in 2009, is the optometry partner for Specsavers Hornby in Christchurch. A highly engaged optometrist both within Specsavers and the broader community, Ian has been a mentor in the Specsavers Graduate Program since 2012, is a current member of the Specsavers Leading Optometry Partner Forum, and is also part of a working group seeking to provide better access for government-funded eye care in NZ’s Canterbury region.
Ian was invited by the ODOB to apply to the PCC, which, under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, is responsible for independently investigating complaints into health practitioners.
The PCC is able to make certain recommendations and determinations, including that a practitioner’s competence, fitness to practise, and scope of practice be reviewed, and that a charge be brought before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Ian says, “I enjoy contributing to our profession and enjoy the opportunity to assist the Board if there is a situation when the PCC is required to give an assessment.”
