Sati Ubhi's story
Sati Ubhi is our Chief Pharmacist and has been working in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire for over 30 years in a variety of roles which include prisons, paediatrics and palliative care.
“I obtained my Pharmacy degree (BSc) in Leicester, my MSc in clinical pharmacy with Belfast University and then undertook prescribing qualifications with Homerton where I was one of the first qualified pharmacist prescribers in our system, working a session a week in a local GP practice. I joined the NHS in 1991 wanting to use my professional skills to make a difference to the lives of patients. I started my career in hospital pharmacy working for Wolverhampton Health Authority which I loved, undertaking ward rounds and reviewing patients’ treatment.
“I then moved to Peterborough in 1992 working at Peterborough District Hospital and the newly built Edith Cavell Hospital. Whilst there I covered many specialities including care of the elderly, paediatrics, palliative care, mental health and aseptics. During my time in hospital, I also provided a clinical pharmacy service to Whitemoor Prison. After a short stint at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, I then moved to prison pharmacy for three years.
“I came over to primary care commissioning in 2001 to cover maternity leave at Huntingdonshire Primary Care Trust and have stayed ever since. I was appointed as Chief Pharmacist for the CCG in 2012 by Neil Modha and am so pleased I’ve been able to continue this role into the ICB. From there, I saw the through the transition from PCT, to combined PCT, CCG and finally to the ICB.
“I’ve enjoyed working in every sector of pharmacy over the years and have come across some fantastic people. I enjoyed working in multidisciplinary teams in hospital and working with many ex-forces staff in the prison service. I remember going to a national medicines conference over a weekend with staff from five of our local GP practices where we showcased some of the work we had done locally (and did lots of dancing!).
“I have been so lucky to work with such fantastic people both inside the ICB and within the system and further afield. The pharmacy world has great networks so there is lots of support from colleagues regionally and nationally. We have had some fantastic successes over the years, down to my incredible and so talented team. I’ve not regretted working for the NHS. Whilst it’s changed over the years, knowing that you’ve made a difference to the lives of patients is very rewarding.”