Science Training School creators win prestigious award
The Advancing Healthcare Awards recognises the achievements and contributions of allied health professionals and healthcare scientists across the UK.
This year, IBMS members Sarah Smith, Claire Cameron and Lynne Taylor from NHS Lothian, won the Scottish Government Award for Driving improvement, delivering results for their exceptional Science Training School.
Sponsored by the Scottish Government, this award is for all healthcare scientists in Scotland who have demonstrated their expertise to drive improvement and maximise the contribution of healthcare science.
Sarah said,
“The Science Training School was established on 2nd February 2013 and is the result of a formal partnership between NHS Lothian Department of Laboratory Medicine and Fife College.
The School provides a designated and bespoke training space based in the laboratory suite within St John’s Hospital, West Lothian. It has the benefit of being surrounded by diagnostic laboratories and experienced scientists whose expertise is utilised within the delivery of the various programmes thereby offering students a tailored blend of specialised skills and qualifications to prepare them for careers within the NHS and Science sectors.
The School currently offers early career programmes to current NHS laboratory staff, employees from external science companies and students within the West Lothian area. Utilising these programmes, many NHS Lothian biomedical support workers have been able to progress their careers and some are now moving onto further educational courses offered by Fife College.
School engagement work carried out has increased student awareness of the variety of career routes within the healthcare Science sector and all students who have undertaken the early career programme whilst in their senior phase at school have progressed to either modern apprenticeships or science related degree programmes including Biomedical Science.
The School is currently working with the University of Edinburgh to provide an IBMS accredited part-time degree route for staff who have progressed with the Science Training School.
The School has gone from strength to strength and is currently working with other professional groups to develop further early career programmes based on the same model of delivery. These include other Healthcare Science groups; Allied Health Professions, Clinical Support workers and facilities staff groups. In March 2019, due to its expansion, the School changed its name to “School of Health, Science and Technology."
On behalf of the team, Sarah commented,
"We were delighted to be shortlisted for the Scottish Government's Award for Driving Improvement, Delivering Results but to then go on to win was wonderful recognition for everyone involved.
We are lucky enough to have a successful partnership with Fife College who have listened and assisted us to develop and deliver a pathway for young people to start their healthcare science career whilst at school and to develop our existing staff to ensure we have a robust and sustainable workforce for the future.
This collaboration has gone from strength to strength and we are now using this model to develop other professional career pathways."
For more information regarding the Science School please contact Sarah Smith, Healthcare Science Professional Lead.
The IBMS wishes Claire, Sarah and Lynne warm congratulations on their award.
Pictured above from left to right: Yvonne Bayne, Fife College curriculum manager for science; Claire Cameron, Education and Training Manager NHS Lothian Dept of Laboratory Medicine; Sarah Smith, Healthcare Science Professional Lead NHS Lothian; Lynne Taylor, Education and Training Manager NHS Lothian Department of Laboratory Medicine.