In 2024/25 we saw the finalised version of the South Yorkshire Healthcare science strategy. This aligns with the NHS South Yorkshire Strategic Framework, and we are the first ICB in the region to produce such a strategy. Harriet Crook, Lead Scientist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, led on this piece of work along with a small working group made up of HCS Council members. There has been a request to share this with other ICB HCS leads in the NEY region.
Workforce, Education and Training
With the incentive of NHSE training grants we have increased the number of apprentices across the SY region with innovative adaptations to train for new roles such as Community diagnostic centre assistant and associate practitioners. In addition, we have developed training collaborations to open up routes into practitioner training for specialist services such as GI Physiology.
We have piloted a rotational apprentice training programme to address retention issues and provide a more flexible role using the level 2 assistant practitioner apprenticeship programme.
Respiratory colleagues from Rotherham and Sheffield have also worked with Sheffield Hallam University to develop and deliver the first cohort of graduate diploma respiratory practitioners as part of a nationally commissioned programme.
Sharing good practice
Zoe Clarke, Lead Scientist at Barnsley Hospital has set up a national Lead Healthcare Scientist community of practice which is supported and recognised by the Chief Scientific Officer for England, Professor Dame Sue Hill.
Harriet Crook has formed an IQIPS group to share experience and knowledge to drive forward the number of physiological science departments gaining accreditation for their services
Raising Awareness of the HCS Professions
Each year in March Healthcare Science week takes place. This year it was 10th-16th March 2025 The lead scientist in each trust co-ordinated a full programme of events such as coffee and chat pairings, information stands, social media profiles to name but a few. A NEY regional conference, attended by the Chief Scientific Officer for England, took place on the 14th March to coincide with HCS week. At this event we saw a number of our SY colleagues win awards or be shortlisted as finalists and further details are in the awards section at the end of this report.
Other Pilot Projects
A pilot echocardiography training academy has resulted in an extra 40 patient appointments per week being created as well as significantly increasing training capacity.
A clinical scientist supported equivalence scheme at STH has resulted in 20 people from various HCS specialisms going through an Academy for HCS equivalence process to become registered Clinical Scientists. So far 7 have successfully completed the registration process as clinical scientists with a further 12 awaiting final interview. There is a potential cost saving of over £2.5 million pounds compared to them training through the usual 3-year commissioned training route.
Celebrations
Healthcare Science nominations and awards from the NEY Regional Healthcare Science Awards
Barnsley
Zoë Clarke – Community and Outreach – Winner
Brogan Barry – Emerging Talent – Winner
Medical Photography Team – Patient Impact – Finalists
Sheffield Children Hospital
SYBP located staff at SCFT came runner up for emerging leader Michelle Scott in Haematology
Special recognition award for Trudy Donn for her services to the Paediatric Mortuary.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
STH Audiology team won the EDI award
Cochlear implant skin health team were finalists in patient impact
STH Radiation Protection Team - finalist in Innovation Excellence
AHA Awards
STH MRI Physics have been shortlisted for their work on AI algorithms to improve scanning quality and efficiency.