Kate Hoey MP meets star pharmacist

Kate Hoey MP visited St Thomas’ Hospital to meet Dr Catherine McKenzie, consultant pharmacist, who was a finalist in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s ‘I love my pharmacist’ award.

During her visit, Kate found out more about the analgesia, sedation and delirium (ASD) service that Catherine established. As well as devising treatment plans and prescribing medication, a large part of Catherine’s role involves reassuring patients who are confused or scared and helping them to understand that they are safe.

Catherine recently led the management of a patient with Down’s syndrome who was severely agitated. Catherine’s determination helped put the patient on the road to recovery and their family were so delighted with the treatment and care received that they raised £1,500 for the Trust’s Critical Care Unit. 

Kate said: “It was lovely to meet Catherine and see the wonderful work she’s doing in critical care. Particularly interesting to me was the special nature of the support provided to patients experiencing delirium following an operation. 

“As usual, Guy’s and St Thomas’ shows the way with skilled and professional pharmacists like Catherine.” 

Catherine said: “I’m very proud of the way we all work together to help patients in critical care feel safe and cared for and it was a pleasure to explain my work to Kate.  

“People often think of pharmacy as simply involving medicines and prescribing, so it is great to be able to show people the other side of our work, reassuring patients and putting them at the heart of everything we do.”