Specsavers unites dispensing and optometry

Specsavers Australia New Zealand is combining its optometry and dispensing functions to create a single clinical services team, which should enhance patient care and outcomes at all points of the optometric journey, said the company.

The move is a testament to the value and importance of dispensing professionals and their optometry peers working together to provide great patient care, said Specsavers’ former optometry director Dr Ben Ashby, who will lead the new team as clinical services director ANZ.

Amy Kenefeck has been appointed to the newly created role of head of dispensing advancement for Specsavers ANZ, replacing Richard Couch, who has been promoted to head of dispensing advancement in the UK and Ireland. In her new role, Kenefeck will lead Specsavers’ dispensing strategy, enhancing the group’s quality and consistency of dispensing at its stores. “A qualified Cert IV dispenser, Amy has nearly 20 years’ experience in the optics industry,” said Dr Ashby. “Her career spans roles as a senior optical dispenser, regional training manager and senior retail operations manager, giving her a wonderful breadth of experience across optics. Amy’s passion for customer service and expertise in dispensing is the ideal combination to support great product solutions for all our customers.”

Kenefeck said she is excited about the opportunities that working closely with optometry will bring dispensing in Australia and New Zealand. “In the past year, we have had a focus on increasing our use of data to enhance patient experiences and outcomes. This coming year, we’ll be looking even more closely at this and developing an evidence-led strategy to support dispensers to help their customers. In this new unified approach, the world is our oyster.”