Meet Our Team
Did you know we all see differently? It’s true – we actually see with our brain, not with our eyes, and that means that how we see is personal to each and every individual. Just like our approach at Lakeland Vision.
Lead by Ged, we are unified by a desire to do the right thing by patients. Honest and open, we strive to offer the appropriate treatment – this may not always be the one patients think they want or need however rest assured, we have your best interests at heart. Our capable and collaborative team work together to manage your care, understanding and expectations. Our appointment times are generous, our pricing – sensitive and transparent, our staff – approachable, hard-working and reliable. While we have grown and expanded over the years, we keep our family values at the centre of what we do. So why don’t you meet the team?
Mr Gerard Ainsworth
Consultant Eye Surgeon/Director
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Mr Gerard Ainsworth is a highly experienced consultant ophthalmic surgeon working within the NHS in North Cumbria, where he has worked as clinical director for the Ophthalmology department. His specialist interests include cataract and refractive surgery, as well as glaucoma.
Mr Ainsworth graduated from the University of Manchester in 1995 and began his ophthalmic training at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton before moving to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and then Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham to further his surgical skills and undertake advanced subspecialist training in glaucoma. He completed his comprehensive specialist training with a fellowship in corneal surgery at the Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton in 2006.
Ged is a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and holds a postgraduate diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Twice a year he teaches trainee surgeons at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and is a member of:
• United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• British Society of Refractive Surgeons
Outside work, Ged lives with his wife and two children in the beautiful Lake District. He is passionate about skiing and hits the slopes as much as he can, both in the Lakes (when the weather allows) and in Europe. Ged is a frustrated sailor at heart, and so enjoys watching his children sail on Ullswater. He and the family, along with Megan the dog, also love walking the fells and sampling any local hostelries that might happen to be en route!
Mark Stoddart
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
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Coming soon…
Kate Liddle
Practice Manager
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My name is Kate and I live in Carlisle.
I was born and brought up in Silloth and left at the age of 18 to go to University.
My first career was as a Speech Therapist in Portsmouth and later in Reading.
I changed career in 2000 to run a charity for people with learning disabilities. I was there for 15 years with most of that time spent as their Chief Executive. At the same time I also ran a charity that provided housing for people with disabilities, so I was very busy.
I have 2 children, one of whom lives in Sydney, Australia. We were lucky enough to live in Sydney for a year when our granddaughter was born a couple of years ago.
We moved back to Cumbria in 2015 and I have been doing business consultancy work until I met Mr Ainsworth and helped him to set up the new Lakeland Vision clinic. I joined the team in January 2024 to be the Practice Manager. It is a wonderful place to work. It is so friendly and seeing people’s lives change by improving their vision is very rewarding.
I have been married to Alan for 40 years and in my free time I love doing Pilates, sewing, walking and Facetiming my granddaughter in Australia.
Ruth
Opthalmic Practitioner
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My Name is Ruth. I have lived in Penrith all my life and started my working life at a jewellery shop. After having my first son in 1994, I realised that I wanted to care for people and started working in a care home. I really enjoyed this. After having my second son in 1998, I started working in Penrith Community Hospital as a healthcare assistant. I completed my NVQ level 2 & 3 in Health and Social Care, and then attended University of Central Lancashire for 2 years graduating with a Foundation degree in health and social care in 2011.
I have worked alongside Mr Ainsworth for 15 years within the Community Outpatient setting and moved to join the team at Lakeland Vision in August 2022.
In my spare time I like to spend this with my friends and family, especially my 3 grandchildren.
Catherine
Clinic Hygiene Support
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I’m Catherine. Married with two children. I have lived in Penrith all my life. I left school in 1985 and started a course with a Youth Training Scheme which led to employment in a newsagent, from then I moved to Boots Chemist where I worked for 13 years making my way from sales assistant to dispenser. Following on from having my children I decided to work part time as a dispenser at the local Health centre until recently where I was offered the job here at Lakeland Vision Ltd and found this would give me a better work life balance, allowing me to spend more quality time with my family and my dog Bailey.
Michelle
Clinic Administrator
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Antony Lomas
Theatre Manager
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My name is Antony, I’m Lakeland Vision’s Theatre Manager. I’m a Registered general nurse specialising as a scrub nurse in theatres.
I trained in Chester in 1991 and moved to the area once qualified and commenced my career journey as a scrub nurse in the operating theatres at the Cumberland Infirmary.
I progressed within my career with an interest in orthopaedics and have managed theatre departments at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal.
In 2024 I took the plunge and left the NHS to join the team at Lakeland Vision, bringing my 30 years wealth of operating theatre knowledge and experience with me.
I reside in the lovely market town of Cockermouth with my partner Angela and her two children, my own creative children are studying at Brighton (Film Media) and Newcastle university (Fabric Design).
Outside of work I enjoy the beautiful countryside we have on our doorstep, so can often be found kayaking on our local rivers, mountain biking on the local trails or walking on the fells with my partner and our mad cocker spaniel dog.
Kerri
Clinic Administrator
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My first role within an opticians was when I was 22, getting my first job with the High Street chain Boots Opticians in Carlisle. I worked for them for 2 years before moving to Whitehaven to work for Specsavers, gaining my qualification as a Cert 3 Optical Assistant. Eventually I transferred through to the Penrith branch of Specsavers. Here I progressed and eventually was offered the position of Store Manager. When Covid hit I spent lockdown looking after my one-year-old daughter. I joined the Lakeland Vision team in June 2022 as a Clinic Administrator.
Outside of work I live with my husband and daughter in a little village just outside of Penrith. In my spare time, she am quite an established baker and have created numerous spectacular cakes for events. I also host a Discussion Group on True Crime that has around 45 members and is forever growing. With my group we attend shows, cinema, meals out and crafting days. Not to mention the odd lake swim and hike.
I enjoy being a mum to my little girl and I love that my job here at Lakeland Vision allows me to have a great work-home life balance.
Eye conditions we treat
Here at Lakeland Vision, Mr Gerard Ainsworth offers management and surgical correction for a number of eye conditions.
Please click on each for more information:
How we can help you
We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have and discuss your individual eye care needs – please contact us on: Tel: 01768 877088 or enter your details into our enquiry form to find out more or make an appointment.