LPT and Aston University-backed pharmacist achieves doctorate

17 Sep 2021

Senior Mental Health Pharmacist Dolly Sud has achieved a PhD after four-and-a-half years of hard work – and the backing of LPT and Aston University.

Her research explored the lived experience of patients with severe mental illness of physical health conditions, and the role pharmacy plays in their treatment and experiences.

She said: “It feels very good to have achieved this in the way that I have. It has been enjoyable, nurturing, enriching, and there is a lot I can bring back to the Trust as well as for clinical practice and policy not just in pharmacy.

“I am just going to enjoy this moment and then think about what my next steps might be.”

Dolly was financed partly through a grant from LPT’s charity Raising Health, and partly through a scholarship from Aston University. She also continued working part-time at LPT throughout her research.

She has published three academic papers during her research, and plans to publish “at least” two more.

“I have been very well supported and guided by my managers in the pharmacy department and my supervisors at Aston University.”

Like all LPT-backed research, Dolly had to show her research was likely to have real benefits for the type of patients LPT cares for and their informal carers.

Carolyn Pascoe, fundraising manager for Raising Health, said: “I would like to congratulate Dolly on her academic success after a great deal of hard work.

“It is great that we have been able to support something which should bring benefits for LPT patients and their informal carers.”