Your new IBMS Council members

Jo Horne

1: What does being an IBMS Council member mean to you?

Being an IBMS Council member is a huge privilege and responsibility, and a role which I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to carry out at this stage in my career. Membership of IBMS Council will provide me with a platform and formal way in which to speak up, advocating for fellow members of the Institute on the most pressing issues and developments affecting the biomedical science community today.

2: If you could only address one issue on behalf of the profession what would it be?

Hopefully, I will be able to contribute to many improvements during my time as an IBMS Council member! However, if I can only choose one, then it would be the exploration and development of further advanced and consultant level roles for biomedical scientists in all specialties. We can best achieve this by working with various stakeholders to ensure that opportunities are joined up and available to all healthcare scientists, essentially by removing or minimising any barriers to progression.

3: Why do you think it is important to engage with the IBMS?

In this modern and rapidly changing world, it is important to continue developing the profession and to achieve this, we all need to engage.  Often the best ideas come from those of us working within departments, facing direct challenges and pressures every day. I believe that the strongest leadership and innovation comes when we all work together as a team, with involvement from a variety of experience and backgrounds. As IBMS Council members we are given a platform to speak up on behalf of our peers, who may not feel ready or able to do so themselves. It is therefore important that we do so in the knowledge that we are addressing the true needs of the members of the profession.

Linda Walsh

1: What does being an IBMS Council member mean to you?

It gives me the opportunity to be involved in strategic decision-making at local, national and UK wide-level with respect to matters relating to biomedical scientists. In particular, education and training and raising the profile of the profession to the general public. I can also ensure that the requirements of Scotland as a nation are represented as education and healthcare are devolved issues and vary from those governed by Westminster.

2: If you could only address one issue on behalf of the profession what would it be?

To ensure a workforce is fit-for-purpose both now and in the future by ensuring there are opportunities to embrace emerging scientific developments of relevance to biomedical scientists.

3: Why do you think it is important to engage with the IBMS?

Biomedical scientists should engage with the IBMS as their professional body to keep abreast of current developments, qualifications etc which can enhance their career and have the opportunity to feed into any government consultations which the IBMS will respond to on behalf of its’ members. The IBMS also provides support for members throughout their career.

Professor Keith Hyde

1: What does being an IBMS Council member mean to you?

Being an IBMS member has been the bedrock of my career and I am very proud to have become a life member and national Council member.

2: If you could only address one issue on behalf of the profession what would it be?

Open access pathway to all members to all consultant grades.

3: Why do you think it is important to engage with the IBMS?

To ensure the voices of biomedical scientists are heard at the highest levels of the NHS and government.

Shauna McAuley

1: What does being an IBMS Council member mean to you?

It is an honour to be an IBMS Council member and I will use this position of responsibility to support the development of our profession and work to raise the profile of the profession with our service users.

2: If you could only address one issue on behalf of the profession what would it be?

If I could address only one issue, it would be the recognition of our profession and understanding of the critical role of biomedical science in the healthcare pathway. This support would encourage healthcare development strategies to include greater consideration to the vital role we play, when developing and reconfiguring healthcare services.

3: Why do you think it is important to engage with the IBMS?

It is important to engage with the IBMS to ensure the profession moves in the right direction and to ensure we are continuously developing. We need maximum engagement to ensure we are providing for and supporting our members.