I obtained my MPharm degree from the UEA in 2007 before undertaking my pre-registration year in community pharmacy in Lincoln. I started my professional life as a community pharmacist working for a variety of companies in Norfolk.

I returned to UEA in 2009 to study for a PhD under supervision of Prof David Wright examining whether there was a role for community pharmacists in the management of long-term conditions. I was appointed as an Independent Research Fellow in 2012 and have since been involved in many research applications and projects with the main focus of investigating the role of the community pharmacist in the care of patients with long-term conditions. I also have an interest in diabetes and respiratory disease prevention and treatment in community pharmacy. Most notably, I was part of the team responsible for evaluating the Community Pharmacy Futures project (a collaboration between the four leading community pharmacy companies in the UK).

Recently, my research focus has shifted from purely community pharmacy to examining integration in primary care and how medicines can be managed better through closer working of different healthcare professionals. This has centred on how medicines are managed post-discharge by pharmacists and the medication review process and how to optimise this in the context of the current NHS priorities. One of these projects used a realist approach to analysis and I am keen to see how this approach can benefit patients, practitioners, policy makers and researchers.

I was recently part of the team that was asked to review the current representation and support structures for community pharmacy in England. This work was commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and has led to a process to enhance these structures to better support and represent the community pharmacy network.

My other research interests include the use of medicines in pregnancy (in collaboration with the University of Oslo) and consultation skills of pharmacists.

I also have a significant teaching role within the School with a focus on research skills, professional practice and communication skills and have delivered material on courses internationally.

As of June 2022, I now work at UEA only part-time (Friday). My other role for the remainder of the week is at NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB as the Head of Research Design and Evaluation. 

• Member of the School of Pharmacy Fitness to Practise Committee