Manchester, Salford and Trafford LOC Committee

Andy McGrail (Contractor, Salford) - Chair - Send Mail

Andrew is an Optometrist and director of Wallwork Opticians in Salford. He has been a member of the LOC since 2018 and was elected Chair of the newly formed Manchester, Salford & Trafford LOC in 2024. He is a member of the Greater Manchester Optometry provider board and his keen interests involve developing enhanced services. In his spare time he can be found on the golf course or watching Manchester City.

Tom Crowther - Vice Chair (Contractor, Trafford)

Tom is the Optometry Director for Specsavers in Altrincham, Sale and Urmston. He joined the LOC in 2016 and is currently vice chair of Manchester, Salford and Trafford LOC. Tom holds a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma and also works as an Independent Prescribing Optometrist within his practices. His specialist interests include Glaucoma pathways and therapeutic prescribing.

Mohammed Bhuta (Performer, Manchester) - Treasurer - Send Mail

Mohammed is an optometrist working as a locum across the North West. Since joining Manchester, Salford, and Trafford LOC in 2019, he has taken on the role of Treasurer, supporting the committee's financial operations. Alongside his LOC work, Mohammed serves as an Optometry Clinical Tutor at the University of Manchester, helping budding future optometrists, and as an Advancement Lead for LOCSU, providing strategic support to LOCs across the country. He also represents the Professional Standards Group on behalf of GM LOCs, ensuring high standards within the region. A self-confessed tech enthusiast and gaming geek, Mohammed wishes he had more time to indulge in his hobbies.

Catherine Turnham (Performer, Trafford) - Secretary

Catherine works as an Independent Prescribing Optometrist at Stotts Opticians, Urmston. She holds the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma and appreciates providing enhanced glaucoma services to patients. She joined MST LOC in October 2022, becoming Secretary in 2024. She is also Primary Eyecare Services’ Clinical Lead for Greater Manchester, Cheshire & Merseyside. In her spare time, she would be found spending time with her young daughter, running around after her spaniel or rushing to finish a book club pick.

Martin Saunders - (Performer, Salford )

Mashucul Mannan - (Contractor, Manchester )

Mike Leeming - (Contractor, Manchester)

Helen Denton (Contractor / Performer, Trafford)

Patrick Gunn (MREH Representative)

Paddy is coopted to the LOC to represent the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, where he is a Consultant Optometrist and Head of Optometry. Paddy has a keen interest in developing the vital role primary care optometry has in delivering ophthalmology services in Greater Manchester, and chairs the Primary Care Optometry – Manchester Royal Eye Hospital collaborative working group. Paddy is Co-Lead of the Manchester Professional Certificate in Glaucoma, and works at an independent optometry practice.

Darshana Mehta (Performer, Manchester)

Darshana holds the Professional Certificates in Medical Retina and Glaucoma and is currently working towards Independent Prescribing. Following a hospital pre-registration at MREH, she has worked for Specsavers for the last 14 years, involved in delivering EOS and pre-reg supervision. She also currently works as a Telemedicine Optometrist carrying out CUES for Primary Eyecare Services and is the current Chair of the internal Primary Eyecare Services Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group. Darshana represents MST LOC on the Primary Care Optometry Collaboration meetings. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband and 3 children.

Claire Thomas-Carter (Contractor, Trafford)

Claire is an Optometrist working in a family-run independent practice, Thomas Carter Opticians, in Urmston. She has an Independent Prescribing Qualification, and has over 30 years of experience looking after a variety of patients, including those with complex prescriptions and learning difficulties. In her spare time Claire enjoys reading ( She is a member of 2 book clubs ) travelling and socialising.

Nick Wallwork (Contractor, Salford)

Nick is an Optometrist working in his family run Independent Practice (Wallwork Opticians) in Salford. He has been a LOC committee member for many years and is on the Salford Primary Care Commissioning Committee (PCCC) and the Salford Provider Collaborative Board (PCB). He was a part time Lecturer at Liverpool University for 15 years until 2023. In his spare time he enjoys keeping fit and spending time with his wife and young son.