No Lab Coats Required

Forth Valley scientists gathered in the restaurant at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to celebrate Healthcare Science (HCS) week. Armed with microscopes, physiological tests and specialist equipment, staff from Physics, the Laboratories and Physiology were on hand to provide advice and information – no lab coat required!

This year’s aim was to improve access and use of healthcare science services and included a demonstration of the new equipment fault reporting programme and information on the new Order Comms lab requesting system which is currently being piloted. Staff were also able to view a prepared histopathology slide, handle hearing aids and check their ECG lead placement practice.

A fun quiz helped highlight some of the key challenges which colleagues across the organisation can help with – after all, more than 80% of all patient diagnosis can be attributed to the work of healthcare scientists.

The stand was visited by Dr Graham Foster, Interim Director of Public Health who enjoyed an exclusive tour of some of Healthcare Science services provided in Forth Valley.

He said: “I’d like to thank everyone who manned the displays and demonstrations on the day. I could see there was lots of interest and enthusiasm from both staff and visitors. I also greatly enjoyed my visits to the Medical Physics, Cardiology and Microbiology laboratories and was very impressed by what I saw there. I am sure that this excellent event will have increased interest in and understanding of the work of healthcare scientists and the excellent career opportunities for scientists in the NHS.”

Click on the HCS website for more details on the day, HCS services, and access to the quiz
http://staffnet.fv.scot.nhs.uk/index.php/a-z/healthcare-science/ (NHSFV Internal)