Southampton pharmacist recognised by Prime Minister for diabetes care
Philip Newland-Jones, a consultant pharmacist in diabetes and endocrinology at University Hospital Southampton, was among a select group of diabetes specialists invited to Number 10 last week.
The event saw specialists from across the UK in adult and children’s diabetes care and charitable organisations introduced to Theresa May, health secretary Matt Hancock and NHS chief executive Simon Stevens.
Mr Newland-Jones became the first consultant pharmacist in the country in 2017 in what was described as a “watershed moment” for diabetes care following seven years as a specialist pharmacist at UHS.
After joining the organisation in 2008, Mr Newland-Jones helped to establish the inpatient diabetes team which, as well as his role, included lead consultant Dr Mayank Patel, a specialist nurse and a dietitian to begin daily 'bedside clinics' for patients with the condition.
The success of the service has seen the team grow to two consultant physicians, a consultant pharmacist, five diabetes specialist nurses and two specialist dietitians who support more than 300 patients a month with the condition while they are in hospital.
His role as a consultant pharmacist enables him to share prescribing responsibilities with diabetes consultants, lead ward rounds, carry out patient reviews post-discharge and review complex referrals from GPs in outpatient clinics.
In addition, as type 1 diabetes clinical lead at UHS, he ensures patients are given the expert support needed when they are admitted and leads two specialist clinics – a multi-morbidity clinic for complex patients and a concentrated insulin clinic which take referrals from across the south of England.
Mr Newland-Jones has also been recognised for his significant contribution to the diabetes education of GPs, practice nurses and prescribing pharmacists working in GP practices across the UK and is the lead pharmacist for NHS England’s Diabetes Clinical Reference Group.
“I felt honoured to be among the guests invited to this event, which was designed to say thank you to people for the work they are doing to improve diabetes care nationally,” he said.
“Mrs May has type 1 diabetes and so, for her, I think this was a celebration of the excellent staff and volunteers we have in diabetes care across the NHS and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to talk about my work in Southampton with her.”
UHS chief executive Paula Head, who began her career as a pharmacist working in the community, hospitals and at health authorities, said: “I am extremely pleased Philip has been recognised for the dedication and commitment he has shown to ensuring greater pharmacist intervention in diabetes care.
"Having worked as a pharmacist myself, it makes me extremely proud to be part of an organisation leading the way in the field nationally and I am sure there is a lot more to come from Philip and his colleagues over the coming years."
