Scotland’s first cardiology consultant pharmacist has been appointed by NHS Golden Jubilee to provide professional leadership and mentorship and improve patient outcomes across the region.
Paul Forsyth, who has 20 years’ experience working with cardiac patients, most recently as a heart failure pharmacist and lead pharmacist in clinical cardiology (primary care) at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, will work across organisational boundaries to support cardiology lead pharmacists in the west of Scotland.
Based at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital – a regional centre for the treatment of heart disease, as well as national services including heart transplant – Mr Forsyth will liaise with key stakeholders to lead and coordinate current and future services to improve cardiology patient outcomes, particularly for complex cases which may include implanted devices and poly- or hyperpolypharmacy.
A priority will be medication management and medicines optimisation, ensuring all patients get the right medicine, at the right time and receive relevant education to understand their treatments.
The cardiology consultant pharmacist role will involve working with an expert multidisciplinary team, as well as services such as the Centre for Sustainable Delivery and the NHS Scotland Academy, and there will be a focus on research opportunities.
Speaking about his new position, Mr Forsyth said: ‘NHS Golden Jubilee plays a key role in the initial treatment of heart disease patients, who often return to their local health board for continued care. Medications are a crucial part of this journey, and efforts are being made to optimise treatment by ensuring patients receive the right medicine in the right place, at the right time.’
He added: ‘A key focus is expanding the role of pharmacists in advanced practice, including outpatient cardiology clinics and post-discharge support, to improve efficiency of our patient journey.
‘Previous experience with early supported discharge clinics has shown that pharmacist-led interventions can help patients leave the hospital sooner while maintaining effective follow-up care.’
‘Invaluable’ cardiology consultant pharmacist role
NHS Golden Jubilee’s director of pharmacy, Laura Fulton, said: ‘Paul’s extensive experience in cardiology, combined with his enthusiasm for the profession and dedication to workforce development, will be invaluable not only to our pharmacy team, but also in supporting patient care across the West of Scotland.
‘By integrating pharmacists more closely into cardiology services, we can optimise treatment pathways, improve efficiency and ensure patients receive the best possible care at every stage of their journey.’
Mark MacGregor, NHS Golden Jubilee’s medical director, added: ‘As healthcare continues to evolve, the role of consultant pharmacists is expanding to meet the growing complexities of medication management within hospitals.
‘We are excited to see the continued success of this role and the positive impact it will have on patient care in the years to come.’
‘Clinical leaders in the profession’
This is the third consultant pharmacist post in Scotland, with the others in cancer and general practice. Indeed, the country’s first consultant pharmacist role was created in March 2024, when Jennifer Laskey was appointed consultant pharmacist, West of Scotland Cancer Network, taking on responsibility for clinical leadership in oncology.
Consultant pharmacist posts are approved by the chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) for Scotland, with accreditation from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society following a robust and rigorous application portfolio assessment that demonstrates cross-boundary working and leadership across four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
Speaking previously about consultant pharmacist roles, CPhO for Scotland Alison Strath said: ‘I envisage NHS consultant pharmacists as the clinical leaders in the profession delivering care and driving change across the healthcare system.’
She added that going forwards ‘all NHS consultant pharmacist posts in Scotland will be determined and agreed nationally’.
