After top award nomination, Wick optician is now recognised for 'clinical excellence'
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A Wick optician has now been honoured by the founders of Specsavers after recently being nominated for a top optometry industry award.
Ian Morris was given a Doug Perkins award for his service to optometry, particularly for his work to "support the remote communities in the area, and his drive to continually develop his professional knowledge".
Mr Morris, optometrist director at Specsavers Wick, is one of 14 Specsavers staff from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland to receive a Doug and Dame Mary medal for clinical excellence and outstanding customer care. Recipients also received £1000 prize money.
Ian is one of only 50 optometrists to hold the NES Glaucoma Training (NESGAT) qualification. He is also an independent prescriber which means he can prescribe medication for eye conditions, so that customers do not have to travel to hospital for prescriptions.
His relationship with his local ophthalmology department in Inverness also contributed to his recognition as Ian often reviews customers in the community for the ophthalmology department to "help prevent the long commute to hospital for those who he can treat at the store".
Ian says: "It was a surprise to win the award, especially as there are so many talented optometrists at Specsavers stores across Scotland.
"It is an honour to have my dedication to the community and academic achievements recognised. Caring for our customers is at the heart of what we do and I wouldn’t be able to deliver a great service without the support of my fantastic team."
It is the first time that the prestigious medals have been handed out in the UK and the Republic of Ireland by the Specsavers founders, having been first launched in Australia and New Zealand.
Specsavers founder Doug Perkins says that it is important that the work of optometrists such as Ian is recognised.
"These two new awards are very special," he said. "They celebrate and recognise colleagues' professionalism, and passion, in the areas of clinical and customer care. The winners are outstanding, and all go above and beyond to deliver exceptional clinical customer care. Huge congratulations to Ian and the team."
