BARS Staff and Officer

BARS is run by an elected council of volunteers who are drawn from a range of roles within the field of diabetic eye screening. Profiles of our current council members are listed below. If you wish to contact us, please use the contacts page » and your message will be forwarded on to the appropriate person.

President
Dr Samantha Mann

Mrs. Samantha Mann has been a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital for 13 years.  Her early career was spent in South London teaching hospitals before studying for an MD into AMD. She then spent a further three years at Moorfield's.  

She is currently the Clinical Lead for the South East London DESP with over 110,000 patients. She has co-developed the OCT pathway within SELDESP and been involved setting up pathways for anti-VEGF treatment in the hospital Eye Service.  She has also been involved in the production of the video  ‘Danny's story' and research into non-attendance at Eye Screening. In addition she has been involved in research into Retinal Vein Occlusions and biomarkers for wet AMD

Co Chair and Education Co-ordinator
Charlotte Wallis

I have worked in the NHS since 1999 when I joined Poole Hospital NHS Trust as a medical photographer. I was the student representative on the Insititute of Medical Illustrators whilst studying for my BSc in Medical Illustration which I gained in 2006. I started work for the Dorset Diabetic Eye Screening Programme in 2004 and have worked my way up to senior grader/slit lamp examiner. In my career I have worked as a Quality Assurance Advisor for SQAS, covering DES and AAA screening. I also serve on the DR NET steering group where I have been involved in developing an international online learning course about how to set up a DR screening programme which has won several awards.  I have been a member of BARS council since 2018 and became co-Chair in 2021. I am passionate about sharing learning and good practice.                         

Secretary/ Stand in Co Chair
Zoe Tobin

Zoe has worked for the West Sussex DESP since August 2008, starting off as an Administrator and progressing to Failsafe Officer.  Zoe is now the Failsafe & Administration Co-ordinator and enjoys the varied challenges that this role brings.  Zoe has played a huge part in improving patient experience; this includes the Nursing Home Assessment Forum (NHAF). 

Zoe is passionate about Failsafe within Diabetic Eye Screening and hopes to bring this enthusiasm to the Failsafe Forums.

Zoe has been on the BARS Council as Secretary since September 2016.

Co-opted Member - Social Media Editor
Kamran Rajaby

I have always been a very visual person and cannot imagine a world without sight. My fascination in the visual world led me to study Television and Video Technology at Kingston University from where I graduated with BSc Hons in 2013.

Until 2016, I freelanced as a photographer/videographer and did extensive events based work. In November 2016, I became a screener at South West London DESP and quickly progressed to screener grader. I've recently moved to the South East London DESP where I'm currently a primary and secondary grader and have ambitions to progress into a senior screener grader position. I take great pride in my work and the part I play in preventing sight loss.

I am honoured to be part of the BARS council and looking forward to leading on the photography and videography at conferences/events along with assisting with the website and journal.

Council Member Failsafe Co-ordinator
Dominique Zamarian

My Failsafe journey started in 2017 at South West London DESP where I worked my way up to Failsafe Coordinator. I am now currently working as a Failsafe Supervisor for South East London DESP since 2019.

Since having the extensive knowledge and experience in Failsafe as well as attaining my health screening and grading diploma, I was asked to consult on other DESP failsafe departments to implement my process. I feel it is vital to have an all-round understanding of what each department does. I hope to one day move in the direction of Quality Assurance.

I absolutely love what I do because I am passionate about patient safety and the role I play in DESP. I am honoured to have been elected to be a part of the BARS council and I look forward to shining a light on the importance of admin and failsafe in the prevention of sight loss.

Council Member
Matthew Baines

I have recently joined the South Tees programme as a Screener-Grader. Previously, I worked for a number of years in the Sheffield service, also as a Screener-Grader. I have experience of grading at Primary and Secondary levels and training staff in clinical practices and grading procedures. I have also been involved with engagement and outreach work in local communities to promote and encourage uptake of screening. I am a registered Professional Clinical Advisor with Public Health England and participate in Quality Assurance visits. It is a privilege to serve on BARS council to highlight the vital work screening services perform.

Co-opted Member - Newsletter Designer/Editor
Stacey Barbaccia

Having graduated from Birmingham City University in 2010 with a degree in Visual Communication, I jumped straight into a role as a Screener/Grader for the Birmingham, Solihull & Black Country DESP in which I remained for 10 years. During my time working within the screening programme,

I was a member of the Grader College for several years and a part of the promotion group for the DESP, which meant I designed and created a lot of the promotional and educational material and leaflets. I've also had a fair amount of success in entering the BARS Photo Competition Artistic Category!

I now work as a Remote Grader for Medica, Ireland and I am extremely happy to continue my design work within the BARS organisation.

BARS Council Member
Milena Lalka-Tatarczak

In January 2021 I started my role as a Retinal Screener in Jersey. I was previously a HCS in a care home and therefore have undertaken significant CPD since moving: University Certificate in Imaging for Diabetic Eye Screening , BARS Administration course, Anatomy of the Eye. I have also been fortunate enough to attend, online, the National diabetic eye screening conference in 2021 and also the BARS conference last year with the whole team.

I am bilingual in English and Polish and am currently learning Portuguese with the aim I can offer screening in 3 languages. I am always looking for opportunities to learn and improve, not only myself, but also our screening programme. I am excited to be part of the BARS council and for the prospects this will offer.

My goal for this year is to expand my knowledge by attending Diabetic Retinopathy Grading Course.

BARS Web Master
Emma Winfield

I joined the Somerset DESP team in May 2018 as a support worker after working in palliative and mental health work, I quickly took a keen interest in the role and learned more about retinopathy and diabetic eye care. In December 2020, I was fortunate enough to be promoted and supported through my qualification with the Gloucester Retinal Education Group (GREG) to become a fully qualified Screener/ Grader. I recently completed the OCT in digital Surveillance course which has sparked a real interest for me in OCT work as I am lucky enough to work for a great programme who are working hard to spearhead the way for further OCT involvement in DESP.

As someone who enjoys arts and painting in their spare time, I understand how important a person's sight is to them and the fear that can surround such matters, which makes me proud to be working in a job that can prevent sight loss to people of all ages. I think I could provide a level headed, practical approach to my work as a council member with a little artistic flare thrown in for good measure! I am passionate about the work we do and would love an opportunity to promote diabetic eye care and its future advancements in this wonderful service nationally.