Summary
Optometry Provider Board welcomes new chair and vice-chair.
Greater Manchester Optometry Provider Board (OPB) has appointed a new chair and vice chair.
Julia Maiden will take over from Dharmesh Patel as chair, and Mohammed Bhuta will move into Julia’s previous role as vice-chair.
Julia is a practising optometrist at Asda Opticians, Wigan, with more than 25 years’ experience in clinical practice.
She has a strong track record of leadership in Greater Manchester and is chair of Ashton, Wigan and Leigh Local Optical Committee (LOC).
As part of her work with OPB, she currently oversees the Optometry Excellence workstreams.
She said: “It’s an honour to take over the role of chair from Dharmesh, and I would like to thank him for his tireless work and dedication.
“He has been instrumental in establishing optometry within NHS Greater Manchester as a key primary care provider, raising awareness of optometry’s role – beyond the eye examination – in supporting wider NHS priorities. His efforts have created a strong foundation for the future.
“I hope to continue this work and drive forward optometry’s integration into neighbourhoods and care transformation work, as well as improve our contribution to the GM Live Well model.”
Mo is a practising optometrist in Greater Manchester with a strong interest in primary care eye care improvement and digital systems.
He is also an optometry clinical tutor at the University of Manchester, treasurer of Manchester, Salford and Trafford Local Optical Committee, and works with LOCs and NHS stakeholders as an advancement lead for the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU).
He currently leads the Optometry Excellence referrals improvement programme, on behalf of OPB.
Dharmesh, who is chief executive officer of Primary Eyecare Services, will continue as an OPB board member and as chair of the PCB Finance and Audit Committee.
He said: “I know that Julia and Mo are well-placed and ready to take OPB forward as part of the PCB, within the wider Greater Manchester system and beyond.
“I will be working closely with them both over the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition and handover of work. I’d like to thank everyone I have worked with in recent years to ensure optometry, and primary care as a whole, has a role, voice and influence in the health and care system.”
OPB is a sub-board of Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board (PCB), along with boards representing community pharmacy, dentistry and general practice.
