Clinical advisers
Our expert advisers, who are very experienced practitioners, are just a phone call or email away and are here to provide a prompt answer to all your clinical and professional questions.
Access to expert clinical advice
Wondering what to say to a patient who refuses to stop driving? Confused about whether you can disclose information about a patient? Got a query about contact lens supply? If you need friendly, expert advice, our clinical advisers are here to help.
The queries we receive vary greatly - from College members who want to discuss legislation and guidance, to those who just want reassurance from a fellow optometrist they can trust and who won’t judge them.
Email adviser@college-optometrists.org or call 020 7766 4372 during office hours.
Meet our experts
Dr Susan Blakeney FCOptom
Clinical Adviser, College of Optometrists
Susan graduated from City University. After a pre-registration year in multiple practice she was awarded the President’s Prize from the College. Since then, she has completed both bachelor and master of laws degrees and a PhD. She has been awarded a MA in Medical Ethics and Law from Kings College London and has completed the post graduate ophthalmic public health module at Leeds University. Susan was awarded Fellowship of the College in 2009, and has recently obtained the College’s Professional Certificate in Glaucoma. She currently practises part time in independent practice, is a clinical adviser to the College of Optometrists, Optometric Adviser to NHS England, South (South East) and a Case Examiner for the General Optical Council.
Daniel Hardiman-McCartney MCOptom
Clinical Adviser, College of Optometrists
Daniel graduated from Anglia Ruskin University, where he won the Haag Strait prize for best dissertation. Before joining the College, he was Managing Director of an independent practice in Cambridge and a visiting clinician at Anglia Ruskin University. He has also worked as a senior glaucoma optometrist with Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and as a diabetic retinopathy screening optometrist. Daniel was a member of Cambridgeshire LOC from 2007 to 2015 and a member of the College of Optometrists Council, representing its Eastern region, from 2009 to 2014.
Daniel has an interest in the effects of vision in art and is known throughout the industry as a passionate advocate of iconic and artisan eyewear. He currently practises part time in independent practice, is a locum, a glaucoma specialist optometrist across East Anglia with Newmedica and is clinical adviser to the College of Optometrists.