Mr Gary Hardwick MCOptom

Gary Hardwick is a local lad. He was born in Blackpool. Following graduation from Manchester in 1981 he undertook his post graduate year in central Preston. He passed his professional qualifications in 1982 and was contacted by his own optician (Sean Jameson) with an offer of a partnership of a practice in Cleveleys.

He is a past Chairman of the Local Optometric Committee and over the years he has built up a good working relationship with other eyecare professionals, be they ophthalmologists, other optometrists and dispensing opticians and orthoptists.

Mrs Dana Smith MCOptom FBDO

Dana is the newest member of the optometric team at the practice having spent several months with the practice as a locum and eventually joining us in December 2019. Dana originally qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2001 and furthered her career by graduating from Bradford University as an Optometrist in 2009.

Dana was born in Czechia-the old Czechoslovakia and speaks Czech, Slovak, Russian and Polish (and English!). In her spare time Dana enjoys ballet and she is a keen skier.

Mrs Kate Hurt MCOptom

Kate qualified from Bradford University in 1990 and moved to the Fylde coast to complete her pre-registration year. She has worked in independant practice ever since, joining G R Hardwick (Optometrist) in November 2006.

​One of the highlights of her career so far was a trip to Kenya working as a voluntary optometrist for Vision Aid Overseas, an international charity dedicated to fighting poverty by transforming access to eye care in developing countries.

Mrs Julia Stanley MCOptom

Julia completed her Optometry degree in 1999 following 3 years of study at Bradford University. Her Pre-registration year was spent at Barry Stott Opticians and after 6 years she joined G R Hardwick (Optometrist) in 2006.

Julia has particular responsibility within the practice for the organisation of our peer-review study group. These sessions are a thought provoking discussion to determine whether individual patient needs were met to the very best of our ability. They are part of our ongoing Continuing Education and Training.