Clinical adviser Sharon Beatty to step down from Optometry Wales

Clinical adviser at Optometry Wales, Sharon Beatty, will step down from the organisation in February 2026.

Beatty has been in the post since January 2023, including during Wales’ transition to its new optometry contract.

Sharon Beatty

Optometrist and Optometry Wales clinical adviser, Sharon Beatty

Previously, she was optometric adviser for Cardiff and Vale Health Board and has worked at Cardiff University, where she oversaw the Eye Health Examination Wales training and accreditation programme at the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre, whilst continuing to work as an optometrist in primary care.

She is now planning a career break ahead of considering semi-retirement options.

Beatty’s role at Optometry Wales is now open for applications.

The organisation hopes that Beatty’s successor will start their role in January 2026, allowing time for a handover period before Beatty leaves her post.

Reflecting on her experiences of the role, Beatty told OT: “It has been a privilege to support the profession particularly during the implementation of Optometry Contract Reform and witness the tremendous impact of practices providing increasing levels of patient eye care closer to home using their higher qualifications.”

She emphasised: “I would highly recommend the role to anyone with a passion in supporting the delivery and development of primary eye care services across Wales.”