[1] Smith is a prominent advocate for continuous quality improvement and innovation in healthcare, and has a particular interest in person-centred care, shared decision making and working in teams.

[2] Smith worked as a general practitioner doctor in Larkhall for fifteen years[1] as well as serving as the Director for Primary Care within NHS Lanarkshire.

[3] Smith is an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Glasgow and Fellow of both the Scottish Patient Safety Programme and Salzburg Global.

Smith took part in his first Scottish Government press briefing on 6 April 2020 at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, alongside First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman.

He was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2022 for services to public health and is an Honorary Professor of the University of Glasgow.