Richard Wilson receives 'Make a Difference' award

Richard Wilson has put his research on hold and returned to Hammersmith Hospital to support NHS colleagues in the efforts to combat Covid-19

Since the College closure in March for all but essential Covid-19 research, HPRU's Senior Healthcare Research Scientist Richard Wilson returned to support his colleagues at Imperial College Healthcare Trust. Prior to working at the College Richard was the lead pharmacist for critical care at ICHT.

In the last few months he has been working on the General Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Hammersmith Hospital and has been leading a team of ICU pharmacists and working with doctors and nurses to treat the sickest COVID patients. This has involved innovative treatments, individualising drug doses for critical illness, managing drug interactions, and offering alternative routes of administration for patients unable to swallow. He has also been preparing (and implementing) contingencies for multiple critical drug shortages we experienced as a result of the surge.

Richard’s work leading and supporting the team has been recognised with the ‘Make a difference’ award from ICHT. ‘Make a Difference’ is ICHT’s staff recognition scheme. It rewards the hard work, dedication and achievements of those individuals that go out of their way to exceed colleagues' and patients' expectations.

Colleagues working with Richard have been full of praise and positive comments -

“He’s been invaluable! Without his support , expertise and overall brilliant organisation I dread to think how we would have coped”.

“Richard has demonstrated incredible leadership in a calm, directive and assertive way across the ICUs at Hammersmith hospital. Highly approachable, knowledgeable and a pleasure and privilege to work alongside”.

“He’s so calm, brings an area of calmness with him in a stressful time. Always will to help. Super knowledgeable.”

Congratulations to Richard from everyone at HPRU.