Dispensing Optics/DO Online editor, Nicky Collinson, interviews ABDO’s new president, Daryl Newsome.
A second generation eyecare practitioner who followed his father into the optical profession, ABDO president Daryl Newsome qualified as a dispensing optician (DO) in 1984. Over the past 38 years in practice, Daryl has gained experience in both multiples and independents in a variety of roles including buying, middle management, training and teaching. He is currently a partner in three optical practices in Devon, a practical and theory examiner for ABDO, and a practical tutor preparing undergraduate students for their professional examinations. Daryl is also a qualified glazing technician, contact lens optician and minor eye conditions services optician.
NC: What or who inspired you to become a DO?
DN: My father was an optometrist and my sister studied dispensing before going to Glasgow to study optometry; so I guess it was probably my sister.
NC: What is your greatest hope for the profession?
DN: Collaboration and recognition. I would like us all to work together to expand our scope of practice and get involved with new things. For dispensing opticians to grow doesn’t mean anyone else has to become less; we can all improve and better serve our patients and, in doing so, be valued by both our colleagues and patients.
NC: What is your biggest fear for the profession?
DN: Becoming a production line. I love the diversity of my role as a dispensing optician: no two days are ever the same, we have the opportunity to do so many different jobs already, and I know our scope of practice is growing all the time. The job I do now doesn’t compare to the job I was doing 10 years ago, and it will be different to the job I will be doing in 10 years’ time. That’s exciting. Not developing and expanding would be my biggest fear.
NC: What’s been your most memorable dispense to date?
DN: Probably making a hand-made frame for a gentleman in Rochdale who had special facial characteristics and had never had a pair of specs that fitted properly. One of our core competencies is taking facial measurements to make a handmade copy of a frame . It was as satisfying for me as it was pleasing for him and, of course, the whole practice buzzed about it because we all know how to do it but we do it so rarely.
NC: What is your most treasured optical item?
DN: Probably my father’s set of Jackson crossed cyls; strange I know but my sister Davina taught my father how to use them. He used block and fan, and along with various bits of workshop kit I inherited when he passed away, I use the cross cyls more than any of the other things. It always makes me smile.
NC: What is you biggest professional achievement to date?
DN: It would be churlish to say anything other than being elected as the president of ABDO. It is an honour awarded by the membership, by voting me on to the board, confirmed by a vote of the other directors to be chairman of the board of directors – and now the president of the Association. It is a role I enjoy, and I feel thoroughly supported by a fantastic team of staff. My thanks go to every member of staff, every part of our various regional teams and every member of ABDO.
NC: If you weren’t a DO, what would you be?
DN: Either a jeweller because I love working in detail, or an airline pilot because I love to travel.
A version of this article first appeared in the June issue of Dispensing Optics.