Sharon Howarth

Sharon Howarth is Patient Safety Lead for Clinical Review within NHS England’s National Patient Safety Team, with over 30 years’ experience across the NHS and pharmaceutical industry. She specialises in the review of patient safety incidents, identifying emerging risks, and translating insights into national safety improvements. Sharon has a strong track record of influencing system-wide change, contributing to national patient safety alerts, reports, and improvement initiatives. She works collaboratively with organisations including the MHRA, Royal Colleges, and professional bodies to develop and implement safety solutions that improve patient outcomes. A clinical pharmacist by background, Sharon has extensive expertise in medication safety, prescribing practice, and pharmacovigilance. Her career spans frontline NHS roles and senior positions in medical communications, giving her a unique perspective on communicating complex risk and clinical data to diverse audiences. She holds an MSc in Patient Safety from Imperial College London and is committed to advancing patient safety through evidence-based practice and national learning.