Heartbeat: Wave goodbye to… Amardeep Singh

May 17, 2021

We recently said farewell to a familiar face, someone known to many people across our organisation, Lead Pharmacist for HIV, Amardeep Singh.

Amardeep began his career in 2005, completing his pre-registration training at Buckinghamshire Hospitals, followed by two years at Derby Hospitals before joining SWB in 2008 as a rotational pharmacist.

Amardeep told us: “I joined the Trust in a band six position and had the opportunity to move into a band seven role as a rotational pharmacist, rotating through ITU, AMU and SAU for about two years. I completed my postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy with the support of John Persaud, our former Deputy Chief Pharmacist. From there, I took on the role of HIV pharmacist in January 2012.”

Amardeep has a wealth of experience, having been a part of our Trust for 12 years. He told us: “I was part of an expansion of the HIV multidisciplinary team. We brought in a new homecare medicines supply service which saved the Trust money and gave patients more flexibility.

“I have been a tutor on our pre-registration Amardeep Singh Lead Advanced Pharmacist pharmacist training programme since 2013 and have been the programme manager since 2016. We have trained several pharmacists who I have been lucky enough to see develop within our department. Two of the individuals I tutored are now tutors with us. That feels like a positive legacy.”

Amardeep continued: “We recently expanded our programme. We became the first Trust in the West Midlands to host a split sector programme with a local GP practice. I was supported through the development of this and consider it as a positive step for the department. I have also been a member of the Hepatitis C MDT since 2015. We have had excellent results, curing over a hundred and fifty patients using recently developed treatments.”

When asked what Amardeep has enjoyed most about working at the Trust, he was quick to reply: “This has been a kind, compassionate and welcoming place to work. When I moved to sexual health, the gynaecology and GU team welcomed me. Similarly, colleagues in pharmacy have supported me through many challenges.

“Also, in the time I’ve worked here, I have raised money for a variety of charities and projects. At every stage, I have had support from colleagues who have donated money and given me advice. It has felt like being part of a family.”

Amardeep will be moving to work at Vale Primary Care Network as a pharmacist. “I hope to take the skills gained from nine years in chronic disease management in the Trust to those GP practices.”

He also added: “There are so many people I would like to thank at SWB for their support, patience and advice. I was born at Sandwell Hospital, I have lived in the area for most of my life, and I am honoured to have provided care for patients in the area.”