Trust shines the light on healthcare scientists
This week the spotlight is shining on healthcare scientists, who work in a range of roles to support patients.
Healthcare Science Week runs from 10 – 19 March 2017 as part of British Science Week and highlights the amazing work of healthcare science professionals and how they make a difference to patients’ lives.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is taking part in the week to highlight some of the healthcare science roles at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford.
Jason Kasraie, a Consultant Embryologist and Andrologist and one of the Trust’s Organisational Lead Scientists, added: “Everything healthcare science staff do supports and improves patient care. Their unique contribution of bringing cutting edge science to patient services should be celebrated across the NHS during National Healthcare Science Week. Healthcare science staff are crucial for the delivery of patient care and are involved in 80% of all clinical decisions and diagnoses in the NHS, they also develop amazing new treatments and techniques to benefit patients, lead research and drive innovation.
“Healthcare Science Week is a great opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing work of the healthcare science workforce at SaTH. There are still a lot of myths about healthcare science as a career, and with the support and resources of Health Careers, part of Health Education England, and the Academy for Healthcare Science; we are able to challenge these misconceptions.”
Chris Crosby, Quality Manager for Pathology at SaTH and the Trust’s other Organisational Lead Scientist, said: “Nationally, healthcare science covers some 48 different professions. At the Trust we have healthcare scientists working in Audiology, Cardiorespiratory, Medical Physics, Fertility, Pathology, Medical Engineering, Maxillo-Facial, Phlebotomy, Mortuary, the Renal Unit and Medical Illustration, to name but a few.
“We would very much like to see healthcare scientists in areas like Critical Care and Gastroenterology, as they can without doubt make a positive contribution to patient care and contribute to the team effort.
“It took a while for the nursing profession to extend their roles, but nurse specialists working alongside medical staff is now commonplace. Healthcare scientists can bring the technological and clinical expertise to a wide range of professions without detracting from the already high standards of care being given up and down the country.
“Not all of the roles have patient contact but they all make a difference to our patients in a variety of ways. Many are unsung heroes working behind the scenes and this week is a chance to shine the light on their excellent work, whether they have direct contact with our patients or not.
“We’re really keen to encourage people to consider joining our Trust in a healthcare science role and quite a few of our departments have taken on trainees or are developing staff to help create the healthcare scientists of the future. There is so much variety in healthcare science that there really is something for everyone and all play a big role in supporting our patients.”
To find out more about some of the Healthcare Scientists at SaTH visit www.sath.nhs.uk/healthcarescientists
