Dr Scott Mackie receives Hamblin Memorial Prize

Dr Scott Mackie receives his award from Les Thomas

Dr Scott Mackie has been awarded the ABDO Hamblin Memorial Prize for exceptional service to the advancement of opticians and, consequently, their professional organisation.

Scott, who is a qualified dispensing optician (DO) and optometrist, was presented with his surprise award at 100% Optical by Les Thomas, learning and development specialist for dispensing opticians (DOs) and contact lens opticians (CLOs) for prize sponsor, Boots Opticians.

When Scott studied dispensing optics at Glasgow College of Technology, there was little to no interaction with the optometry students. After his pre-reg year and a year as a manager for Dollond & Aitchison, he returned to the college to study ophthalmic optics. In his final year, he was nominated president of the Scottish Society of Optical Students, and organised various events where DO and optometry students mixed helping to break down barriers.

Scott later returned to the now Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to undertake a PhD in diabetic eye disease. In his final year, he set up a CET course – then Eyecare 3000, a private company training both DOs and optometrists. He invited DOs in Scotland to Eyecare 3000’s annual CET meeting free of charge, including accommodation, as he was sympathetic that DOs did not receive a CET grant.

After leaving GCU, Scott opened practices in Lanarkshire. With his wife Dr Roisin Mackie, he undertook the LVA Hons course and set up local and hospital-based LV clinics. More recently Scott joined the ABDO National Clinical Committee, helping to facilitate the minor eye conditions services qualification for CLOs. Scott served as CPD lead for the General Optical Council and through the Education Strategic Review process, tried to let the GOC understand the role of DOs and CLOs. Scott has been a Vision Aid Overseas team leader for more than 20 years, continues to run the annual Scottish Optical Conference, and is an assessor for the College of Optometrists.

On receiving his award, Scott said: “When I was invited to meet up with Alistair Bridge [ABDO CEO] at 100% Optical, I thought it was to rekindle our friendship from working together at the GOC. However, I was humbled and surprised to learn that it was to collect the Hamblin Memorial Prize.

“This prestigious award has been won by many people in the past whom I admire professionally, and I am delighted to accept this award for my part in providing CPD and promoting the value of dispensing opticians. In particular, the synergy of working alongside optometry colleagues to provide person-centred patient care.

“Interestingly, my first job in the world of optics was a pre-reg dispensing optician at Dollond & Aitchison, Clydebank, Glasgow, and the owl signage was part of the Hamblin Wigmore Group, which amalgamated into D&A. Also, in my optometry undergraduate years I worked in the summer months for Boots Opticians as a DO helping the expansion of stores in Scotland,” Scott added.