140 Steve Williams
Steve Williams has worked within the NHS as a clinical pharmacist specialising in holistic care for 33 years, including 18 years as a pharmacist independent prescriber across sectors and 9 as a consultant pharmacist in medicine & medication safety in hospitals. He has taught & researched prescribing and medication optimisation / safety for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists for 20 years plus and holds an honorary clinical lecturer appointment at the University of Manchester Pharmacy School.
His enthusiasm, positivity, and motivation to continually improve patient care through teamwork, systems change and understanding the bigger healthcare picture has defined his career. He currently leads a medicines optimisation team across a large urban Primary Care Network (PCN) in Bournemouth and remains driven by the need to protect all patients from the biggest medication safety problem of all – problematic polypharmacy in an ageing population with multi-morbidity. He also runs his own Medicines Optimisation consultancy company, One Less Pill , and is co-host of the popular “Aural Apothecary” podcast about medicines .
In this engaging podcast episode, I sit down with Steve, who shares his remarkable 30-year career journey. From his humble beginnings working in his father's community pharmacy to becoming a renowned consultant pharmacist and medication safety expert, Steve's story is a testament to the incredible impact that pharmacists can have.
The Power of Knowledge: Steve emphasises that the true "superpower" of pharmacists lies in their deep knowledge and expertise around medications. He explains how he dedicated himself early on to becoming a medicines expert, constantly learning and expanding his clinical knowledge. This relentless pursuit of understanding laid the foundation for Steve's success, allowing him to provide invaluable guidance to patients, healthcare teams, and organisations.
Throughout the conversation, Steve highlights several key principles that have guided his illustrious career. These include:
"Why" - Constantly questioning and seeking to understand the rationale behind decisions, rather than just accepting the status quo.
"Ally" - Recognising the power of building strong, multidisciplinary relationships to drive positive change.
"Change" - Embracing the reality that change is the only constant in healthcare and proactively adapting to new challenges.
"Excellence" - Striving for excellence in all areas, rather than unattainable perfection, which can hinder progress.
"Patient" - Maintaining a holistic, person-centered approach, considering the unique needs and circumstances of each individual.
Steve's career journey took him from the fast-paced environment of hospital pharmacy to the more relationship-driven setting of primary care. He shares how this transition allowed him to leverage his broad expertise and focus on addressing the complex medication management needs of patients with multiple chronic conditions. Steve's ability to adapt and thrive in different settings highlights the versatility and value that pharmacists can bring to various healthcare settings.
In addition to his clinical and leadership roles, Steve co-hosts the popular Oral Apothecary podcast, where he, along with his co-hosts, dive into engaging conversations with a diverse array of healthcare professionals. Steve's enthusiasm for storytelling and sharing pharmacy's impact shines through as he describes the mission and unique format of the podcast.
Throughout the episode, Steve's passion for the pharmacy profession, his commitment to continuous learning, and his unwavering dedication to providing the best possible care for patients shine through. His inspiring journey and the valuable insights he shares make this episode a must-listen for pharmacists at all stages of their careers, as well as anyone interested in the transformative power of the pharmacy profession.
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CONNECT WITH STEVE:
One Less Pill: https://onelesspill.com/
The Aural Apothecary Podcast: https://www.theauralapothecary.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-williams-26816659/
FILMED AND EDITED BY:
Sunjay Vyas: https://www.sunjav.uk/
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