Inside Intensive Care: Anticoagulants In Critical Care

Sura Ali

Highly Specialist Pharmacist, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

Sura is a Highly Specialist Pharmacist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, a 34 bedded unit. Her specialist interests are delivering high standards of care, pharmacogenomics, antimicrobial stewardship and delirium management in the emerging Neurodiverse population of patients, in particular. Sura endeavours to collaboratively promote the path of best practise through education, promotion of our invaluable ICS workstreams and standards, as well as work with our pharmacist members on innovation.

Nisha Bhudia

Lead Pharmacist for Critical Care and Theatres, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

I am a hospital pharmacist with 29 years of clinical experience, including 21 years specialising in critical care. Throughout my career, I have embraced the challenges of working in complex clinical environments, which have shaped both my professional expertise and personal resilience. As a lead pharmacist, I provide specialist advice and guidance to healthcare professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and key stakeholders to support the safe, effective, and evidence-based use of medicines for patients.

My specialist practice spans cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, heart and lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support (including VADs and ECMO), critical care, and anaesthesia. I have a particular interest in quality improvement, service innovation, and the use of digital technologies to enhance medication safety, optimise medicines management, and improve operational efficiency.

I am passionate about driving positive change within healthcare. Through the knowledge, skills, and insights gained from years of clinical practice, leadership, and collaboration with national and international colleagues, I aim to influence and improve ways of working across services. I am committed to promoting innovation, sharing best practice, and supporting the development of healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.

By fostering collaboration and encouraging the adoption of new ideas and innovative approaches, I hope to contribute to a clear and sustainable roadmap for the future of intensive care and wider healthcare services, ultimately improving outcomes for patients and the teams who care for them.

Dr Khalid Farhan

Haematology Speciality Doctor, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

I am a Haematology Specialty Doctor currently based in Lancashire, having completed my MRCPI in 2018 and DipRCPath in 2023. I am also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG).

My clinical experience spans both malignant and non-malignant haematology, with a particular interest in thrombosis, anticoagulation, and transfusion medicine. I am actively involved in guideline development for the trust and improving patient pathways across Lancashire.

Alongside my clinical responsibilities, I lead cross-site morphology meetings and contribute to medical education, clinical governance, audit, and service development. As Vice Chair of the SAS Committee at RCPSG, I am passionate about advocating for SAS doctors, supporting professional development, and promoting clinical leadership. My focus is on delivering high-quality patient care, strengthening collaborative working, and driving meaningful improvements in healthcare services.

Dr Clara Hernandez-Caballero

Consultant in Critical Care, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals

I have been a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Harefield Hospital since 2014. I also work as an ECMO Consultant for the Severe Acute Respiratory Failure service at Royal Brompton Hospital, where I am involved in the care of patients requiring advanced respiratory support.

In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I serve as the Clinical Governance Lead for the Intensive Care Unit at Harefield Hospital, with a particular focus on patient safety, quality improvement, and the delivery of high-quality care.

My main professional interests include clinical governance and medical education, mechanical circulatory support, renal replacement therapies, and the perioperative management of patients undergoing heart and lung transplantation. I am passionate about developing educational initiatives, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving outcomes for critically ill patients through evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement.