Optician Awards 2016: Optometrist of the year Lynne Fernandes

‘I was stunned when I heard my name read out,’ reflects Fernandes on the April awards night. ‘I felt the other nominees were so strong that I had very little chance of winning. Winning was very emotional as we all worked so hard as a team in this year.’

The new optometrist of the year acquired her practice, Lynne Fernandes Optometrists, in 2000 with her optometrist husband and co-director Gerard, purchasing the independent practice which she was locumming in Bristol. The couple have since purchased two more practices in Nailsea and north Bristol. Several staff members pay tribute to the clinical director’s impact on the services that have become available to local patients.