When did you first join Duncan and Todd and how did you come to work on the Isle of Skye?
Craig Campbell I started with Duncan and Todd in 2011, when the company took me on as their pre-reg in their Inverness branch, which trades under the name of JM MacDonald. Once qualified, an opportunity became available for the company to open JM MacDonald practice in Portree on the Isle of Skye, very close to the area that I grew up in. Skye had no resident optician, only a travelling clinic every three weeks. Therefore, there was a significant lack of eye care services for this remote community, 115 miles from the nearest hospital eye clinic in Inverness.
The company opened our Portree practice in October 2012 and we have given it the nickname ‘the cupboard’ due to its tiny size with just myself testing and dispensing and one local lady on reception.
What have been your main responsibilities since qualifying as an optometrist?
CC Over the past five years, we have grown the practice and now employ five local members of staff, two of which are school leavers, and our original receptionist is now our assistant manager, who is taking part in dispensing courses.
I test five to six days per week and provide the local community with practice-based eye care as well as a domiciliary service once or twice a month. The doms are a really important part of our business and one that is extremely valued by a community that is so remote.
For the past three years, I have also been part of a two-person team that travels to the Dounreay nuclear facility for three days, five-times per year, to provide on-site eye examinations and occupational/safety specs.
Can you describe how you felt when you went up to receive your award?
CC It was a real honour to win the first ever Optometrist of the Year award at the Scottish Health Awards. There were some truly inspiring people at the event, from across a wide range of healthcare professions, and I couldn’t help but feel a little undeserving of receiving one myself. However, it gave me great pride to know the work I’ve done over the last few years had made a real difference to people in my community and within this incredible company.
What do you remember of the night of the awards ceremony?
CC The awards ceremony was held at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh. My girlfriend and close family members attended, along with four representatives from our parent company Duncan and Todd, including my managing director Frances Rus.
The event was hosted by the comedian Fred Macaulay, who made it very entertaining and enjoyable, despite the slight nerves at the prospect of having to make a speech in front of hundreds of people, should I win. But there was a celebratory feel to the evening and it was a pleasure to be part of an event that recognises some of the amazing work that goes on across the NHS.
How would you say you go the extra mile for your patients and what is your biggest motivation?
CC Since opening the practice in Skye, I have been determined to build a business that would be able to provide a quality eye care service six days a week so that this rural community would not be disadvantaged in having access to services most other places take for granted. And if that means driving 30 miles to the most isolated parts of the island at 7.30pm to assess the sore red eye of a bed-bound patient, then that’s what needs to be done. I think that type of attitude is what’s required to really build any business and provide a reliable local service.
Having been brought up in this remote rural area, I understand that we don’t have easy or quick access to many services. So, knowing that my work can make a real difference to people’s lives, gives me the motivation to deliver the best possible care I can.