Laura Fulton appointed Chief Pharmacist for Healthcare Improvement Scotland
New Chief Pharmacist Laura Fulton joins Healthcare Improvement Scotland from NHS Golden Jubilee
Laura Fulton has been appointed the new Chief Pharmacist for Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Healthcare Improvement Scotland is the lead organisation for improving the safety and quality of healthcare in Scotland.
Laura joins our organisation from NHS Golden Jubilee where she has undertaken the position of Director of Pharmacy since 2023. Prior to joining NHS Golden Jubilee, Laura was the Director for Scotland at the General Pharmaceutical Council. During this time, she led the work to reform education and training for pharmacists which resulted in refreshed standards being published in 2021. In addition to her experience in NHS acute care and pharmacy regulation, Laura has extensive experience as a clinician and leader in community pharmacy, and also worked with Scottish Government as a Clinical Leadership Fellow. Laura also sits on the Scottish National Pharmacy Board for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the professional membership body for pharmacists and pharmacy.
In her new role, Laura will provide strategic and clinical leadership and specialist pharmacy advice, and she will be responsible for driving a consistent approach to clinical and care governance. The Chief Pharmacist will help to ensure that all our work is underpinned by sound clinical advice and ensure that the pharmacy profession makes the most effective and productive contribution to Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s work.
Speaking of the appointment, Laura said:
“I’m thrilled to have been appointed to this vital role at Healthcare Improvement Scotland. As a passionate pharmacist, the focus of my career has always been to collaborate to ensure that patients receive exceptional care from pharmacy services every day. As an organisation whose purpose is to enable the people of Scotland to experience the best quality health and social care, I am excited about how I can work with my colleagues to ensure that pharmacy is integral to this objective.”
“As a passionate pharmacist, the focus of my career has always been to collaborate to ensure that patients receive exceptional care from pharmacy services every day.”
New Chief Pharmacist, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Simon Watson, Medical Director and Director of Safety with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“I am delighted that we will be welcoming Laura as the organisation’s Chief Pharmacist. This is a vital role for Healthcare Improvement Scotland. It’s fantastic news that somebody of Laura’s calibre and experience will be helping to shape our strategic approach to medicines, clinical and care governance and clinical leadership.”
Laura will take up her post in early May 2025.