Advancing Healthcare Awards 2023 announced
The UK Advancing Healthcare Awards ceremony was held in London at the Park Plaza Victoria on 21 April, celebrating the achievements of allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and those who work alongside them - while also hearing from inspirational speakers. The incredible work of the entrants and their wider teams was outlined to share their experience and learning as widely as possible.
There were over 170 entries this year, which made for some very difficult decisions in the judging stages. The scope of the entries is a real tribute to the passion, dedication and innovation of healthcare scientists, Allied Health Professionals and those who work alongside them across the UK.
Among the winners and highly commended were the following IBMS members:
IBMS sponsored - Biomedical Scientist of the Year - Ian Davies
This year's 'Biomedical Scientist of the Year' award went to Ian Davies, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical science and Healthcare Science Course Leader at Staffordshire University.
Ian commented:
I’m delighted to receive the Biomedical Scientist of the Year award, not just for me but on behalf of all of my colleagues and NHS partners who support me to develop the next generation of biomedical scientists.
At a time when the NHS is under such pressure, it’s great that the innovative work we are doing to develop a sustainable biomedical scientist workforce is being recognised.
On a personal note, to be recognised in the same category of the previous inspirational winners is a career high!
Ian was commended for completely revising and updating the apprenticeship degree programme at his university, ensuring that is appropriately approved and accredited as part of this process. It was also noted that the course punches above its weight in the wider university setting, now attracting students from across the UK. One of the key features is the use of patient simulation exercises which helps produce more rounded graduates who will be better prepared for the transition into the workplace as biomedical scientists.
Ian is a great leader, both as a role model and supporter of his students, which is perhaps best demonstrated by his empathetic approach to the differing backgrounds and needs of his full-time and part-time students. Ian prefers to celebrate the successes of others, but winning this award gives us the opportunity to celebrate him.
Rising Star award - Carl Onwochei
Another IBMS member was celebrated in the 'Rising Star' award category. Carl Onwochei, a biomedical scientist at Public Health Wales, qualified in March and is now already working towards his IBMS Specialist Diploma.
Carl has quickly excelled in his role, has a genuine passion for the service delivered and cares the health and wellbeing of the patients he serves. This is reflected in his commitment to his job and his dedication to sacrificing a great deal of his personal time to support the service where needed.
Highly Commended - Lucinda Streeter
In the 'Biomedical Scientist of the Year' category, IBMS member Lucinda Streeter (Point of Care Testing Manager, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) was also highly commended.
Despite the pressure of the pandemic on pathology services, Lucinda showed extraordinary leadership in her role; raising the profile of the profession, achieving contract efficiencies, introducing new equipment, trialling new POCT devices and rolling out rapid COVID testing services across her Trust and multiple other sites. She also supported the national roll out of rapid COVID testing by writing and sharing working instructions to allow other services to implement their own services at greater speed.
Lucinda has built relationships within her Trust with clinical colleagues to improve the recognition and value of pathology support for Point of Care Testing, including the formation of the POCT committee, improved access to training for new junior doctors and nursing staff and improving the digital transformation to ensure POCT results are reported into the electronic patient record.