First consultant pharmacist to work across cancer network and NHS trust appointed in north-east
Steve Williamson: new post will be key in managing entry of new
medicines |
Steve Williamson has been appointed consultant pharmacist for cancer services, the first such pharmacist to work across a cancer network and an acute NHS trust.
The joint post with Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust and the North
of England Cancer Network is also the first consultant pharmacist post
for the north-east of England, Mr Williamson told The Journal.
Mr
Williamson has worked in cancer services for 14 years and has become
a recognised
expert on chemotherapy capacity planning and chemotherapy service development.
“Ensuring equitable access to cancer medicines is a major priority
for the north-east NHS; this new post, endorsed by the North East Strategic
Health Authority, will be key in helping manage the entry of new cancer
medicines.
“We know that there are a huge number of new oral anti-cancer medicines
on the horizon that may potentially be delivered outside the traditional
secondary care boundaries. One of the challenges of my new role will
be to develop links with community and primary care pharmacists and provide
leadership as we begin to tackle the clinical management and supply of
oral anti-cancer medicines in the community,” he explained.
In his new role, Mr Williamson aims to stimulate, support, co-ordinate
and undertake cancer-related research and service development. “An
interesting immediate challenge will be to develop a relationship with
local academic institutions to cultivate research opportunities, advise
on curriculum design and to provide some teaching,” he said.
Working for the cancer network across 10 acute NHS trusts and 10 primary
care trusts, he will provide professional leadership and support to fellow
pharmacists working in cancer services in the north-east. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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