Access to professional ear care health in Edinburgh has received a significant boost following the success of five colleagues completing rigorous clinical training.
The team at Specsavers Morningside and Cameron Toll stores are celebrating as five colleagues, Gillian Hudson, Isla Dowell, Jamie Raes, Samuel Jeffries and Larissa Barclay have gained their Audiology Clinical Assistant (ACS) qualification. This milestone transforms the customer’s experience, allowing the newly qualified assistants to perform clinical tasks such as otoscopy and professional triage on the spot.
The achievement highlights Specsavers' commitment to ‘growing its own’ talent, taking staff members from diverse professional backgrounds and providing a career ladder in healthcare.
Jonathan Bell, audiology director at Specsavers Cameron Toll, says: ‘Having multiple ACS-qualified staff members is a total gamechanger for our stores. We now have specialist cover seven days a week at Cameron Toll and six days at our Morningside store. It empowers my team, reduces appointment bottlenecks, and ensures our senior audiologists can dedicate their time to customers with the most complex hearing needs. It proves that we don’t just provide hearing devices; we provide expert clinical care.’
For the local community, the qualification means immediate peace of mind. Patients who may have previously faced long waits for GP appointments can now walk into the stores for an instant hearing check. The ACS team can identify wax blockages or hearing concerns immediately, ensuring customers are placed on the correct clinical pathway from their very first interaction.
The newly qualified team adds: ‘Achieving this qualification is a proud moment for us. It represents more than a certificate; it’s a shows that Specsavers is invested in our long-term progression. Previously, we had to rely on busy audiologists to check for abnormalities, which often meant the customer had to wait. Now, we can look in their ears on the spot and provide personal and immediate care. It’s an exciting first step toward more advanced clinical roles.’
The transition from support roles to clinical professionals was supported by mentorship from the stores’ senior audiologists. Despite the challenge of balancing formal study with daily roles, the team notes that the discipline has prepared them for the high level of responsibility required in modern healthcare.
To book a hearing assessment, you can visit Jonathan and his team at the https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/camerontoll or call 0131 672 9218, or at https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/morningside or call 0131 672 9218.
