We had a chat with Samantha Powell, NHS Partnership Executive for our Exeter clinic. A past lens replacement surgery patient herself, she is excited to help local NHS patients regain their vision and quality of life, just like she experienced a few years ago.
- What were you doing before you joined ACES?
I joined Optical Express back in 2019 as a Patient Advisor in Plymouth and worked my way up to Assistant Manager within the company. During that time, I had the privilege of working alongside an amazing team and looking after private patients, which gave me a great insight into the inner ways of working within a private provider of eye care services.
In the meantime, I was lucky enough to get lens replacement surgery through my employer, which improved my life dramatically. I have now taken on the role of NHS Partnership Executive within the county of Devon for ACES.
- What first attracted you to join ACES?
I was drawn to ACES because of its innovative approach to ophthalmology and its dedication to providing exceptional care. Additionally, I saw it as a great opportunity to help raise awareness in the local community about the important services we offer and to contribute to the growth of my clinic.
- Can you explain what your role with ACES involves?
In my role at ACES, I focus on raising awareness of our clinic’s services in the local community and building relationships with local healthcare professionals such as optometrists and GPs to facilitate patient referrals. I work closely with them to ensure that we’re delivering top-quality care for NHS patients with the standards of private clinics.
“I’m excited to be able to give these patients both their vision and their quality of life back – just like I got mine back a few years ago.”
- What excites you most about your role?
I’m excited to contribute to reducing the waiting times for our NHS patients, and to be able to give these patients both their vision and their quality of life back – just like I got mine back a few years ago. The team I’ve joined is very dynamic, which means there’ll always be an opportunity to learn from each other and grow the business together!
- What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
Simply that every day you will learn something new, and nobody knows everything!
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery, I would love to travel the world and experience different cultures. Specifically, I’d love to work on a ranch in Utah for a year. Then I would come back and buy a house with enough land to have horses around and grow my own vegetables!
If you are interested in referring your NHS patients to our ACES clinic in Exeter, please get in touch with Samantha Powell on samanthapowell@aces-eyeclinic.co.uk or 07386 698 730.
If you or someone you know has an interest in a career with ACES, please send your CV to careers@aces-eyeclinic.co.uk or visit our Careers page.
