DOUBLE WINNERS IN GREATER MANCHESTER!

Congratulations went out to the IBMS members at both the university of Salford and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) who scooped both the Educational Institution of the Year and Team of the Year awards at the IBMS awards 2024 in June.

The Judges recognised the high calibre of  professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the team at the University of Salford stating:

“Congratulations on being recognised as ‘Educational Institution of the Year’ at the 2024 IBMS Awards. Your commitment to excellence and innovation in biomedical science is truly exemplary. Your degree apprenticeship program’s high pass rates and the successful transition of your graduates into biomedical scientist roles reflect the effectiveness of your educational strategies and robust support provided by your programme team. The curriculum innovations you’ve implemented such as the pathology specimen reception and blood transfusion simulations provide students with practical, real-world experiences that enhance their professional competencies.

Furthermore, the growth of your extracurricular career mentorship groups and the success of your portfolio club in aligning university studies with HCPC standards demonstrate your proactive approach to student development and career readiness. Your institution’s efforts to adapt to the needs of the workplace and continuously improve the educational experience have set a high benchmark in the field. This award is a testament to your dedication to developing skilled professionals who are well-prepared to contribute to the biomedical science profession. Congratulations once again on your outstanding achievements and contributions to the field”.

Dr Sara Namvar, Programme Lead for the full time Biomedical Science programme said: “The institutional award is an honour for the university and for the team. It celebrates the above and beyond commitments of every member of the Biomedical Science programmes to the institution and its students.”

Dr Natalie Ferry, Subject Head for Biomedicine said: “The whole teaching team works so hard, these nominations are well deserved recognition of these collective contributions.  We are proud of our colleagues and learners’ achievements, and we look forward to continuing to make meaningful contributions to the field in the years to come.”

The Division of Laboratory Medicine’s training team was nominated in the category of Team of The Year by Simon Gorman, the Training and Clinical Liaison Officer at MFT.

The IBMS judges recognised the professional and expert level this team has reached together and noted:

“This pan-pathology training group acts to ensure their teams are trained and competent to carry out their assigned roles. On top of routine training and competency-related duties within the departments, the team is heavily involved in public engagement events throughout the year. The team consciously works to increase support they can offer to students in higher education institutions, attending regular events at the universities, alongside colleagues from elsewhere in the Greater Manchester network.”

“Consequently, the team has increased capacity for placement year trainee biomedical scientists from the nearby universities, from 13 placements in 2022-23, to 21 placements in 2023-24 – an increase of over 60% in one year. Additionally, pathology areas that have traditionally seen low applications have encouraged increases in applicants, by implementing a training bursary for prospective students, and by promoting the profession in higher education institutions and in the general population. Cellular pathology has seen an almost 10-fold increase in interest from budding trainee biomedical scientists, in just two years (four applicants in 2022, 38 applicants in 2024.)”

Judges also pointed out that the team “Demonstrates a variety of approaches towards public engagements and ensures a sustainable pipeline of staff. The team go above and beyond and utilise innovative ideas to promote the profession.”

Representatives from Haematology, Biochemistry and the Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (bacteriology and virology) were able to attend the lunchtime event in central London and accept the award on behalf of everybody working in training within the division or laboratory medicine.

Short listing also included:

Tahmina Hussain, for her sector-leading work in Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

This shortlisting acknowledged the extensive work Tahmina has led on to shape the direction of travel for EDI in the Biomedical Science profession nationally. Tahmina co-founded and chairs the national IBMS EDI Group. Tahmina said: “I was truly honoured to have been shortlisted for the personal EDI award. These nominations acknowledge our unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and impact in education. By embracing and removing barriers to diversity in education and training, we can enrich learning experiences and embed strategies to help improve career progression for the workforce.”

Greater Manchester Pathology Network working in Partnership with the NHS trusts within the Greater Manchester area.

This strong partnership was recognised for the dedicated work and commitment present between the team and their hospital trusts they work with.  Supporting the staff and their career development to providing excellent healthcare to the patients in their communities.  “It was so nice to be nominated, let alone short listed.” Said Julie Miller.

 

The IBMS awards really is a true opportunity to celebrate the highest achievements of members at all points of their career path.