From Local Optometrist to National Lead: The Inspiring Journey of CHEC’s Karen Dewhurst  

newly qualified optometrist were in an independent practice,” Karen recalls. “They did things such as low vision aid assessments, stable glaucoma management schemes, and even domiciliary home eye tests. I think early on I got quite a varied experience.”  

This early exposure to different aspects of eye care proved invaluable. “Independent optometrists’ do as much as they can, and you learn a lot,” Karen reflects. “Obviously, your first home visit sight test, you realise that it isn’t the same as at Uni! You simply have to adapt to the room you’re in and the patient in front of you.” This adaptability and willingness to learn would become hallmarks of Karen’s career.  

In 2008, Karen moved to Boots, where she spent 12 years, initially as a mobile optometrist covering multiple sites before settling into more regular roles. It was in 2019 that a pivotal moment occurred. Living and working in an area where CHEC was expanding its services, Karen received an email indicating that CHEC now offered YAG laser procedures in the area. Aware of the lengthy waiting lists at the local hospital, she reached out to enquire about CHEC’s wait times.  

To her surprise, the response came directly from CHEC’s CEO, Imran Rahman. “He told me the wait times, which were really short in comparison,” Karen explains. Imran’s personal touch and willingness to explain CHEC’s processes led to an invitation to a YAG clinic. “The next thing I knew, I was training to do YAG laser and was going to become a locum doing just one day a week.”  

During one of her training days, the conversation took another exciting turn with Imran mentioning that CHEC were opening a local site in Blackpool. She interviewed and became CHEC’s first employed clinical optometrist.  

Starting just two days before the first lockdown offered its own test and Karen’s role quickly evolved. “We had to spread patients throughout the week, and we welcomed theatre patients on weekends, 7 am to 7 pm,” she says. Not being furloughed provided unique opportunities. “I would help out with theatre and diagnostic clinics, which most optometrists don’t get the chance to do.”  

Karen credits Imran’s mentorship as a significant factor in her growth. “To be trained by Imran was an amazing opportunity, and he was so gracious with his time. When I had questions, it was Imran; there was no clinical support team at that point.”  

Her leadership potential soon became evident. “I was then asked to sit in on interviews for optometrists, and before I knew it, I was the one holding the interviews. Then I started training optometrists when they first joined. This is when I became a regional clinical lead.” As CHEC continued to expand, Karen’s responsibilities grew, culminating in her current role as National Clinical Lead, where she now manages the northern and southern clinical leads.  

In her current position, Karen’s focus is broad and impactful. “I am doing the training that falls into clinical governance, and I am writing policies for treatments,” she explains. She also remains actively involved in professional development, as evidenced by her recent peer review at CHEC’s first CPD conference. Discover more about our CPD Conference here.  

Despite her impressive trajectory, Karen remains grounded. “I find it amazing because I don’t see myself as ambitious or driven; I’d be happy still being a local optometrist, although I did find the ‘sales’ aspect a difficulty, I was never a very good salesperson.”  

It was the sales aspect of her role that made her consider a career change, but instead CHEC presented a new path. “I was considering leaving the profession and becoming a teacher when CHEC fell into my lap really; I was really lucky. I had a great relationship with my NHS Partnership Executive, and I simply reached out to her.” Karen also notes the evolving landscape of optometry. “I never even really considered hospital optometry or academia. None of it had kind of been talked about. Whereas I think nowadays, there are different avenues for optometrists, and they’re more widely discussed.”  

A defining aspect of CHEC’s ethos, as Karen highlights, is their approach to professional development. She recalls a powerful quote from Imran: “We will never push you out of your competency as an optometrist but will absolutely push you out of your comfort zone.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Karen. “CHEC invests in people, and rather than simply looking at a CV, which all optometrists will have the same qualification, we look at how that person will fit in with the culture and core values of people because we train everyone the same.”  

Looking to the future of CHEC, Karen is enthusiastic about several key areas. “I’m excited for the expansion of the services we offer; we’ve obviously launched MIGS and VR services.” Maintaining a connection to patient care remains a priority for her. “I’m excited to continue doing clinics because it’s important to me to retain that link with higher management and the people and processes on the ground and ensuring that the right decisions are being made.”  

Karen is also passionate about the learning opportunities CHEC provides. “We’re getting more Independent Prescribing qualified optometrists, and I would like to see more optometrists doing more clinics than just cataract and YAG consultations. I would also like to implement ophthalmologist mentors. I obviously had Imran, and I think everyone should have an opportunity like that.”  

Ultimately, Karen believes CHEC offers a unique environment for both patients and professionals. “CHEC not only offers patients care in their community, but we also offer our optometrists and doctors a community where they talk to each other, asking why a particular medication has been prescribed and why a test has been booked. To have a direct line to this information is really valuable to have.”  

When it comes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Karen emphasises CHEC’s patient-centric approach. “I think what makes us stand out is that we listen. We ask optometrists what points they need, what they’d like to learn. It’s also impressive that people like Mahmoud Rabie, our Clinical Director of Ophthalmology, deliver some of our CPD events. To have a doctor who specialises in that topic is amazing. And we do tend to get an expert on the subject matter to present.”  

Karen Dewhurst’s journey is a testament to the opportunities and growth that CHEC fosters. From a local optometrist who was considering leaving the field to a national clinical lead shaping the future of community eye care, her story is an inspiration to us all.