Biomedical scientists at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are raised awareness of their profession for the nationally promoted Biomedical Sciences Day.
Biomedical Sciences Day is an awareness day organised by the Institute of Biomedical Science which aims to inform the public and empower patients by telling them about practices in biomedical science and celebrate a profession that is a the heart of healthcare. this year it took place on June 20th.
Biomedical Scientists are HCPC registered (Health and Care Professions Council) healthcare professionals and their role is practiced in healthcare laboratories to help identify, monitor, research and support treatment of diseases and conditions. It is one of the broadest areas of modern medicine which, combined with other diagnostics, underpins modern healthcare.
Biomedical scientists and laboratory staff analyse fluids and tissue samples from patients using manual techniques and high-tech state of the art laboratory equipment to help doctors and other healthcare professionals identify diseases and highlight the effectiveness of treatment. In the UK alone, healthcare laboratories are involved in over 70% of diagnoses in the NHS and handle over 150 million samples every year. At Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, around 1.5 million samples are processed in a year.
Rizwan Shakir, Biomedical Scientist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “Biomedical scientists play a vital role and work as part of a team with other healthcare science staff. Most hospital departments including operating theatres, wards and emergency department would not be able to function without the service provided by biomedical scientists and others in the laboratory service.”
“We are pleased to be able to have the opportunity within Biomedical Sciences Day to promote our profession and highlight the difference that we make to the NHS.”