Pharma Prescribed with Helen Palk, Lead Practice Nurse; The Human Side of Health: A Nurse's Journey

I’m Adam Walker a Biometrics consultant, and this is the Pharma Prescribed Podcast—where leaders, innovators, and hidden voices in healthcare open up. No soundbites. No spin. Just raw insight—one prescription at a time. In an industry driven by data, protocols, and pressure, we rarely pause to ask the human questions: What drives us? What breaks us? And what truths live behind the titles we wear? Today we’re joined by Helen Palk — a nurse whose career was shaped long before she ever stepped onto a ward. Inspired by her grandmother, an army nurse caring for injured troops during the Second World War, Helen grew up surrounded by strong, compassionate women in healthcare. Her path began behind the pharmacy counter working weekends, later qualifying as a pharmacy technician. But Helen wanted to be closer to patients, and a role as a Health Care Assistant on Chichester Ward at the Royal Sussex County Hospital opened her eyes to the world of nursing. Encouraged by colleagues, she completed her Registered General Nurse training, working across urology, theatres recovery, and later progressing into Registered Midwife training. For the last nearly 30 years, Helen has served as a General Practice lead nurse in the South East of the UK — a role that draws on every skill she has earned. Her story is a testament to dedication, adaptability, and a lifelong commitment to the National Health Service. I am honoured to call Helen a friend and am delighted to welcome her on Pharma Prescribed.