AN OPTICIANS in Newport has increased its clinical capacity after a team member graduated as an optometrist.
Joshua Hadley, who started working as part of the team at Specsavers in Telford four years ago, before joining its sister store at 9 Baddeley Court in Newport, has become its newest optometrist after completing his studies over the summer.
After completing an optometry degree at Aston University, Joshua took on his pre-registration year, a period of supervised training provided at the store that includes a series of assessments and exams.
Despite starting his training during the pandemic, making for a challenging introduction into the field, Joshua completed the course at the beginning of 2021.
‘It’s a brilliant feeling to have finished my studies - all of my hard work has paid off,’ Joshua says. ‘The team is extremely supportive, so I know I’m in good hands as I start my new career in optometry and I’m ready to face whatever challenges come my way.
My intention now is to train further and join my fellow colleagues in becoming specialists in areas such as medical retina and glaucoma.’
Daniel Judd, Specsavers Newport store manager, says: ‘We couldn’t be happier for Joshua! He’s been an invaluable member of the team and we’ve seen him go from strength to strength during his time with us.
Now that his studies are completed, we’re delighted that he will be staying with us, he’s got a long and successful career ahead of him.’
In line with guidance from the NHS, Specsavers is keeping safety measures in place, including the wearing of face coverings, unless there is a medical exemption.
This includes maintaining social distancing in stores, continuing to use PPE and sanitising all testing equipment and frames before and after each use.
Doors will be kept open whenever possible to improve ventilation and although card payments are still preferred, cash payments will be accepted too.
Specsavers will also continue to operate its Ask The Expert chat function on its website and its RemoteCare service, which enable customers to speak to an expert from the comfort of their home via video call or phone.
