A golden focus on staff

 

Jonathan Partridge Optometrists has held the gold award from Powys Local Health Board since 2008 after being judged on its standards of practice. Practices are assessed on clinical governance, education and training, quality, health promotion and range of services.

 

“As an independent practice, we don’t really have any other benchmark to measure ourselves against, so achieving the gold award is very important to us,” said Beverley Partridge, practice manager.

 

“The award scheme ensures that we maintain high clinical and professional standards and that optometrists invest in their personal development and the services that they offer to customers. It’s vital to the future of the practice that we are progressive and competitive.”

 

She and her husband, Jonathan, established the successful practice in 1990 and they now employ six people. The practice, which achieved the Investor in People standard in 2005, is focused on training and developing its staff and developing leadership and management skills.

 

In a recent independent survey, 99% of customers described the practice’s customer service as either good or excellent.

 

Mr Partridge is a fully qualified and award winning optometrist, dispensing optician and contact lens practitioner who conducts low vision assessment clinics at both the Royal Shrewsbury and Newtown Hospitals

 

The Partridges are keen to expand the services they provide as soon as suitable premises become available in Welshpool.

 

Mrs Partridge uses senior management skills gained at Marks and Spencer and a teaching qualification to lead staff development at the practice. Every member of staff has a personal development plan, which is reviewed regularly and the benefits of training courses are measured.

 

“We share with staff our future plans so that they understand their role within the business,” she explained. “Our staff are absolutely vital to the growth of the business so it’s important that we all work in the same direction and everybody feels appreciated.

 

A strong advocate of leadership and management training, she stressed: “It would be easy for our business, established here in Welshpool, to be inward looking but we need to keep pace with what is going on in the wider business world.

 

“Businesses that don’t develop their leadership and management skills will find it difficult to prosper. You must constantly look at your business with fresh eyes and analyse everything you do.”

 

Businesses wanting to know more about leadership and management training should visit www.lmw.org.uk for more information.