We had a chat with Julie Deadfield, NHS Partnership Executive for our clinics in Reading and Southampton. Despite being one of the latest additions to the team, Julie has already proved herself a valuable asset by helping raise awareness of ACES in her area and build on her already established relationships in the healthcare sector to drive referrals to her clinics.
- What were you doing previously?
Before joining ACES, I spent 20 years working with a healthcare competitor. I began my career as a Private Medical Secretary at a hospital, later transitioning into the role of Business Relations Manager, which I held for 15 years. In this position, I worked closely with approximately 70 consultant surgeons and doctors across a wide variety of specialties, including Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Urology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, Gynaecology, and Ophthalmology.
- What first attracted you to join ACES?
I was headhunted for this role while I was seeking a new and more challenging opportunity. My previous position had become largely hospital-based, focused on marketing, consultant engagement, and expanding the insured market. While these aspects were rewarding, I missed the hands-on experience of being in the field, selling services, building relationships, and networking with referrers. This role at ACES provided the perfect opportunity to return to those core aspects of my work.
- Can you explain what your role with ACES involves?
Since joining ACES in November, my role has involved working away from home in Bristol, a new and unfamiliar territory for me. With my clinics in Reading and Southampton not yet ready to begin NHS work and contracts with the ICBs still in negotiation, I focused on identifying key contacts and conducting thorough research on the local area. I engaged with local GP practices, opticians, the ICB, and the referral management centre. To streamline my efforts, I created a comprehensive database of GP practices and opticians, allowing me to strategically plan and optimise my visits and meetings.
My primary goal has been to raise awareness of ACES, and to establish new relationships with referrers. We’re now starting to see the early results, with an increase in referrals to the Bristol clinic.
“Over the past 15 years in the healthcare sector, I’ve worked tirelessly to build and maintain these relationships, and it will be rewarding to engage with them again as we expand ACES’ presence in the region.”
- What are you most excited about?
The ACES Southampton clinic is set to launch next month (February 2025), followed closely by Reading. I’m incredibly excited to return to my local area and reconnect with my long-established contacts, many of whom I now consider friends. Over the past 15 years in the healthcare sector, I’ve worked tirelessly to build and maintain these relationships, and it will be rewarding to engage with them again as we expand ACES’ presence in the region.
- What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
Treating people equally with kindness and respect, regardless of their position or rank, is essential. Being kind costs nothing, but it can mean so much to others. You never truly know what someone else might be going through, so a simple act of kindness can have a significant impact.
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
Moving to Barbados and opening my own boutique on the West Coast would be a perfect way to enjoy both the beauty of the island and to satisfy my entrepreneurial spirit. I’m already manifesting this dream—visualising your goals can make them feel even closer to reality!
If you are interested in referring your NHS patients to our ACES clinics in Reading and Southampton, please get in touch with Julie Deadfield on juliedeadfield@aces-eyeclinic.co.uk or 07350 421 914.
If you or someone you know has an interest in a career with ACES, please send your CV to careers@aces-eyeclinic.co.uk or visit our Careers page.
