Originally from Bury, Joanna spent her University years in Birmingham (where she met her now husband) before moving back up to the North West. Read on to find out more 

I now live in Rochdale with my husband and our five year old daughter, who keeps me very busy outside of work! In no particular order I love the great outdoors, music, baking, movies, reading and Manchester City (I’m a fan of some 30 years!)

What is your position?  

Head of Clinical Pharmacy Services

Tell us about your career background?

I graduated from Aston University in 2004, and completed my pre-registration training year at the Royal Bolton Hospital. From there, I moved to Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust as a rotational Clinical Pharmacist within the Manchester Royal Infirmary, St Mary’s Hospital for Women and Children, and the Royal Manchester Eye Hospital.

In 2007 I became the Aseptic Services Manager at the MRI, and was responsible for the provision of parenteral nutrition, IV additives, parenteral clinical trial products and chemotherapy services for the adult and neonatal divisions. In 2009 we merged with Royal Manchester Children’s’ Hospital and Pendlebury Children’s’ Hospital, and as a team we combined an incredible number of staff and services harmoniously to form the new pharmacy department on the central site. Because I didn’t have enough already on my plate (!), I also completed my Postgraduate Clinical Diploma at the University of Manchester and got married during my time in this post.

Having seen the Central Manchester University Hospitals merger through to its successful end, I sought a new challenge armed with an array of new tools and experience. In 2010, I joined East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust as a Directorate Clinical Pharmacist, covering Gastroenterology for a number of years before recently moving to the Cardiology Directorate. I was a pre-registration pharmacist tutor, clinical diploma tutor, and have also been involved in junior doctor training during my time at ELHT– I really enjoy supporting the education and development of my colleagues. I completed my non-medical prescribing training at Salford University in 2014, and more recently have been fortunate to lead on a very successful “Dedicated Ward Pharmacy” pilot at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, which has shown excellent outcomes in terms of safety, quality and flow and is leading to significant changes to the way ward-based pharmacy services are delivered at ELHT. I have had an extremely enjoyable time at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, but what they say about that seven year itch must be true……! I saw this position at CHFT, and it resonated so much with me I had to apply. What an opportunity to support the development and transformation of clinical pharmacy services in a Trust whose values match my own - so here I am!

What are the best bits about your job?

Delivering excellent patient-centred care. Pharmacy is so integral to the patient journey, and it gives me great pride to see a pharmacy team effectively enhancing and optimising each patient’s care as part of a cohesive multi-disciplinary team. The value that we can add stretches far beyond an acute hospital admission, and the impact that can have on patients and relatives is invaluable.

On a more light-hearted note, I also love the camaraderie within the NHS. I have made friends for life of so many colleagues, and I am looking forward to getting to know the team here at CHFT.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

The pharmacy team won the Clinical Team of the Year Award at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Star Awards 2017, receiving fantastic feedback about the impact of our dedicated ward-based services from all grades of nursing staff and clinicians. When I reflect on how far the pharmacy department has come at East Lancashire since I joined in 2010, it makes me extremely proud to have been a part of that transformation, and this was definitely a high point for me (alongside securing funding to roll-out the pilot afterwards!)

Sum up your role in three words?

Engaging passionate leader

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A lawyer, then a classics teacher, then an optician…… a bit indecisive!

Who is your hero/heroine and why?

Tough one. From a very personal point of view the way my aunt dealt with terminal cancer with bravery and complete selflessness taught me a lot about what is important in life.

When you are not at work how do you relax?

A good gym session is always a good stress reliever, as is heading out to the hills for a good yomp.  We try to make the most of family time, my daughter Evie loves visiting Quarry Bank Mill (she’s obsessed with the cotton industry – strange child!)

I also love a good singalong in the car on the way home from work, so expect to see plenty of that too!

What is your favourite place?

Anywhere with sunshine and a beautiful beach. Or the Etihad watching City as a close second

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have been known to be quite a formidable force to be reckoned with in Fantasy Football (but the less said about this season the better, I had a stinker!)