IBMS Congress

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Lead Scientists: leading change, representing healthcare science

Plenary Lectures

Plenary Session

There are approximately 50,000 Healthcare Scientists (HCS) working in the NHS in England. The diverse and specialist nature of scientific work means that HCS are employed in 51 different disciplines, grouped into Life Sciences (e.g. pathology, genetics), Physiological Sciences (e.g. audiology, cardiac physiology), and Physical Sciences and Clinical Engineering (e.g. medical physics, renal technology). 

Although primarily based in the acute sector, our work affects many aspects of clinical activity in primary, secondary, and tertiary care, and we deliver more than 80% of the diagnostics that impact on clinical decisions, this makes us a powerful group, with the ability to influence change.

The NHS is undergoing the greatest period of change since it was created in 1948. The new Health and Social Care Bill sets out the government’s strategy to create a more responsive, patient-centred NHS, which achieves outcomes that are among the best in the world. This strategy involves radical service redesign and improvement, changes in the way we work, changes in the delivery of diagnostics, interventions and therapies, where, when and how services are delivered

Policy and service issues explore how Healthcare Scientists as leaders can make a difference in putting together the new system architecture and benefits for patients as set out in the White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS and the accompanying consultation documents. The prospect of strong leadership, to which all HCS should aspire to, will be the driving force behind these changes.

For Health Care Scientists we must regard this time, not as our greatest challenge but as our greatest opportunity, our opportunity to change and influence the future direction of our profession for the increased benefit/outcomes of our patients

Never before have scientists had such recognition within the NHS and influence within the political background. Leading these changes on behalf of health care scientists is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), supported by a national network across England of ten Senior Lead Health Care Scientists; these lead scientists have created regional networks which then link into local networks within each Trust. The networks provide a ready source of expertise and leadership to access the skills and knowledge of this highly qualified and diverse workforce.

As part of the CSO Diagnostics Portfolio the Senior Scientists are leading a series of projects as part of the vision to deliver greater efficiency, safety and effectiveness. Projects include Diagnostics Pathways, Innovation,  Leadership, Patient & Public Involvement Toolkit,  Point of Care, Science & Society, Scientific Contribution to Outcomes Framework, Extended working. My presentation will outline the HCS network structure and the contribution we can make to the changing landscape, in addition to discussing the DH HCS led projects.