Healthcare Science Week 2024

There are over 50,000 healthcare scientists working in the NHS and public health services. Together they provide the scientific backbone of the NHS and their work underpins 80% of all diagnoses.

Healthcare science professionals work in four main areas – laboratory (pathology) sciences, physiological sciences, medical physics and clinical engineering, and bioinformatics.

As part of this year's Healthcare Science Week, we spoke to some of the healthcare scientists here at UHBW about their roles and they enjoy about their profession. Read more below. 

Aanisah - Clinical scientist, paediatric audiology

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day involves carrying out assessments of children’s hearing and programming hearing aids, ensuring these help children to hear better. The role also involves taking part in research and audit activities within my department.

What is the best thing about your role?

Helping children to hear better and seeing the positive improvement this makes to their development.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

I enjoy going to the gym and going out with my friends. I like to go on hikes and challenge myself to take part in different activities. 

Ben - Cardiac Clinical Scientist and Higher Specialist Scientist Trainee

What does a typical day look like?

My time is split between clinical tasks, leadership, research, and education. Clinically, I provide individualised care for patients who have implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers and ICDs. This involves monitoring the health of the patients and their devices through remote and in clinic follow-up, as well as programming devices to meet a patient’s changing needs. I also implant and explant cardiac rhythm monitoring devices. As well as running cardiac device clinics, I also work in the cath labs during invasive cardiac procedures. My role there varies from monitoring a patient’s haemodynamics during coronary artery procedures (PCI) to running complex 3D mapping systems which allow for the diagnosis and targeted treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

What is the best thing about your role?

The best thing about my job is witnessing the direct improvement to our patient’s quality of life as a result of our care. I also really enjoy developing positive relationships with patients and colleagues. I get to work with a very positive and motivated cardiac science team who constantly encourage each other's development. I also get to work closely with a lot of people from other professions too, such as the multidisciplinary team of the cath labs. These relationships often help buoy me up through challenges, and can provide appropriate light relief whilst we work together to provide crucial and often critical care.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

I really enjoy going on country adventures with my wife and our two young boys, and when time permits, I also like to play hockey for the North Somerset men’s hockey team.

Megan - Biomedical Scientist

What does a typical day look like?

Helping consultant neuropathologists diagnose brain tumours and other neuropathology diseases. I am also work in the muscle lab where we receive fresh muscle biopsies and help diagnose conditions like muscular dystrophy. I’m also part of the team that processes post-mortem brains to help consultants determine cause of death.

What is the best thing about your role?

Knowing that we can help give patients tailor-made treatment plans thanks to our efforts is really rewarding. It’s also great to be a part of various research studies that we help with to further advance our knowledge of brain disease.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

When I’m not at work you’ll find me in the garden or out with my German Shepherd dog Cooper!

Natasha - Trainee Clinical Scientist

What does a typical day look like?

As a trainee my days are very varied. Typically, in audiology I would have a list of clinical appointments such as direct referrals, ENT referrals, hearing aid fitting appointments or follow ups. Other days can be observing neurology, vision or even physiotherapy across different hospitals to develop my understanding of the patient pathways in the NHS and how my patients may be seen by multiple clinicians for the same condition.

What is the best thing about your role?

I enjoy the diversity and supporting patients.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

I enjoy big walks around the countryside with my partner and our dog, plus a beach trip when possible.

Donna - UHBW Pathology Network Education Trainer

What does a typical day look like?

I work within the Trust in Laboratory Medicine as a training manager to help structure and support the training activities, workforce planning and staff development of biomedical scientists and clinical scientists within the department. I also work within the West of England region collaboratively with other trainers to support the development of training activities across our staff group and develop new ways of developing staff.

My daily tasks include the following: reviewing communications, setting daily actions, delivering or coordinating training activity, attending relevant department/training meetings, supporting trainees through reviews and monitoring of progress, development of training materials and ensuring the compliance of training activities with the required quality standards.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

During my time off, I love spending time with my family, letting off some steam in the gym and exploring the great outdoors by walking and biking.

Sam - Trainee Clinical Scientist, on the NHS scientist training programme (STP), based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary

What does a typical day look like?

There is no typical day on the STP. I may shadow a biomedical scientist performing testing, attend a multi-disciplinary team meeting, help in a local research study or clinical audit, discuss an interesting patient case with my supervisor, or something completely different! At the end of the day I usually reflect on what I have learned during the day.

What is the best thing about your role?

I love the variety of the STP and how every day is different! As I rotate through different departments, I meet and work with many talented and knowledgeable scientists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals and there is always something new to learn from them, a new skill to pick up, or a test I can help perform or contribute to.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

I love spending time with my friends and boyfriend and exploring somewhere new, whether it's a National Trust park/house, museum, music event, or new town or city.