HEALTH AND WELLBEING
COMMITMENT TO
ALISON COCKBURN CHAMPIONING COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH INNOVATION
T
his year’s Commitment to Health and Wellbeing Award was presented to Alison Cockburn, Lead Diabetes Cardiovascular
Pharmacist at NHS Lothian, in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the health and wellbeing of individuals living with chronic conditions across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
With a professional ethos grounded in collaboration, innovation and patient empowerment, Alison has transformed the way diabetes and cardiovascular disease are managed in primary care. Her vision and determination have led to the successful establishment of pharmacist-led clinics in 35 general practices, reaching hundreds of patients who might otherwise have struggled to access consistent, specialist care.
The results have been nothing short of transformational. These clinics focus on patients with diabetes, hypertension and/or elevated cardiovascular risk, delivering therapeutic optimisation alongside lifestyle guidance. The impact on patient outcomes has been
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profound. Among a sample of 514 patients reviewed over a 12-month period, average HbA1c levels dropped by 17%, systolic blood pressure by up to 19% and cholesterol levels by as much as 30% in hypertension patients. These improvements not only reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage, but also lead to enhanced quality of life, reduced hospital admissions and longer, healthier lives.
Patients attending the clinics report transformative changes. Many now feel equipped to manage their own conditions, make healthier choices and improve their physical activity levels. As one patient reflected: “I now have a much better understanding of how to manage my diabetes and reduce my chances of having a stroke or heart attack. I'm enjoying being able to exercise with my friends and now have the energy to play with my grandchildren.”
But Alison’s work is not only about outcomes, it is about systems change. Her innovative "Teach and Treat" model pairs clinical service delivery with
pharmacist education, enabling trainee prescribers to learn in real-time within active clinics. This method helps ensure consistency, scalability and sustainability of the service, while also developing a confident and competent pharmacy workforce. Trainees are supported through structured assessments aligned with GPhC and RPS standards, ensuring a high- quality, evidence-led learning environment.
The programme aligns with the Scottish Government’s pharmacotherapy commitments under the 2018 GMS contract, fulfilling level 3 of the service and offering essential support to GPs and practice nurses. In doing so, Alison has helped relieve pressure on primary care, allowing GPs to focus on complex cases and freeing up practice nurses to deliver care for other chronic conditions.
Overcoming barriers has been central to the programme’s success. Many of the clinics are based in areas of high social deprivation, where engagement can be challenging. Through continuity of care, active follow-up via text or
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