Schoolchildren and students from across Birmingham and the West Midlands were among hundreds of visitors to the third annual Healthcare Science Day at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB).

16 stands in the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham showcased the crucial behind-the-scenes work done by healthcare scientists, and the potential for careers in healthcare science.

“A key part of patient care is the work done by healthcare scientists”, said UHB Healthcare Science Education lead Debra Balderson, who organised the event.

“Though much of this work is unseen, it is vital in helping staff on the frontline to do their jobs, as healthcare scientists are involved in over 80 percent of all clinical decisions in the NHS.

“It was fantastic to see so many people – members of the public, patients and staff – come along and show a real interest in the work healthcare scientists do.”

Each stand was manned by hospital specialists and offered information about roles and career pathways as well as a range of fun, interactive activities using specialist equipment.

A prize for the best stand on the day was won by the Medical Physics team.

Professor Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England, also attended the event.

Professor Hill said: “Healthcare science staff cover a vast range of specialisms, with clinical applications spanning the care pathway from cradle to grave and everything in between, as well as leading and working with other healthcare professionals on ground-breaking research.

“The healthcare science teams at UHB are doing tremendous things, and it was fantastic to see and speak to so many of them on the day.” 

“It was really great to welcome so many schoolchildren and students, to talk about the range of health scientist careers,” added Debra.

“There’s still a misconception that the NHS is just doctors and nurses, so it’s vital to have events like this to shatter those misconceptions.

“The feedback was really positive all day, and it was great to see the interest many of the children and students had in healthcare science careers.

“Many patients and visitors were also interested in our stands for the insight into the amazing work that formed the backbone of their own diagnosis and treatment at UHB.”