03 October 2025
For Jayne Hutchinson, practice manager and dispensing optician at Simon Berry Optometrists, the best part of the practice day is catching up with the team in the mornings.
This time provides a chance to find out what colleagues have been up to outside of work and talk through the upcoming clinics for the day.
Hutchinson, who joined the practice in 2021, has more than 38 years of experience in optics.
What she loves most about the practice? The patients – in particular, building a rapport and watching the younger patients grow up.
What is your role?
My role is dispensing optician and practice manager at Simon Berry Optometrists, based in the beautiful city of Durham.
What do you recall from your first week in practice?
I can remember my first week as a very positive thing. I started at the practice in 2021 and although I started in optics in 1987, I was still a little nervous, but I was made very welcome by all the staff which made things a lot easier for me.
It was a strange time as we were still wearing masks due to COVID-19. I can remember the boss popped upstairs when I was on my lunch and had to look twice as he did not recognise me without my mask.
February 2021
Jayne joined the practice
How do you see your role in the patient’s journey?
My role in the patient’s journey, in my view, is to make the patient comfortable, and to get to know them. To be able to offer what they need without any pressure and for them to trust my judgement and advice. The best thing about working for an independent is that we are not limited in what we can dispense, which makes it more enjoyable as we can offer such a variety in frames and lenses.
What is one thing you love most about the practice?
The thing I love most about my practice is the patients we see. No two days are the same. We see patients of all ages, some with complex needs who require a more specialised dispense. I do love a challenge.
I especially love seeing the younger patients growing up over the years – however that does remind me that I am getting older. It is lovely when you build a good rapport with patients and are able to have a chat.
The thing I love most about my practice is the patients we see. No two days are the same
What is your favourite moment of the day?
My favourite moment of the day is first thing in the morning. It is a good time for a catch-up with the staff to see what they have been up to outside of work. We always have a ‘huddle,’ looking at the clinic to see if there are going to be any pressure points. I always love seeing familiar patients booked in.
What is one thing you have learnt from someone in your team?
One lesson I have learned from a team member is to delegate. I am very lucky that I have a wonderful team behind me who I can fully trust to take care of anything I ask of them.
If you could help your community understand one thing about eye care, what would you say?
One thing I want my community to understand about eye care is how important it is to see their opticians regularly, and that it is not just about purchasing spectacles. I would especially like parents to know the importance of having their children seen – even if they think they don’t need spectacles.
If you could have one wish for the practice, what would it be?
If I could have one wish for my practice it would be to be able to carry on providing care for our patients. We have a fantastic patient base who put their trust in us, and it is lovely to see us being able to help.
We have a fantastic patient base who put their trust in us, and it is lovely to see us being able to help
What is one thing you are excited about?
One thing I am excited about is working with a member of staff who will hopefully take over the reins from me when I retire. Although I do love my job, I have worked in optics for 38 years now and I’m looking forward to my twilight years.
How does your practice support each other’s wellbeing?
Wellbeing is made a priority for our team by myself and the boss making sure things are okay at work as well as at home. All of my work colleagues have children, so I always accommodate if they need time off for sports days, etc. I am very lucky that all of the team members get on very well with each other and feel comfortable confiding any problems they are having.
If you had an unofficial title in the practice, what would it be?
My unofficial title given to me by the staff is ‘Mother Theresa’ as they say I have the patience of a saint.
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