Healthcare Science Week 2023
13 to 19 March 2023
Healthcare Science Week is an annual celebration of the work of the many healthcare scientists across the NHS. It is an opportunity to showcase the variety of roles available in healthcare science, and the skills required to do them.
Did you know that there are more than 50 different healthcare science careers? Healthcare scientists work in one of these 4 areas:
- bioinformatics and data science
- physical sciences and biomedical engineering
- life sciences
- physiological sciences
The importance of healthcare scientists
Healthcare scientists use data analysis, product design, engineering skills and scientific knowledge to:
- prevent, diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions
- design and develop custom medical devices
- commission and maintain medical equipment
- make, improve, and adapt assistive technology
Over 80% of conditions will be diagnosed with the assistance of the healthcare science workforce.
Roles in healthcare science
Healthcare science is the fourth largest group in the NHSScotland workforce, with approximately 6,000 healthcare scientists working across the service.
There are many roles available in healthcare science, including:
- anatomical pathology technologists
- audiologists
- biomedical scientists
- bioinformaticians
- cardiac physiologists
- clinical embryologists
- clinical photographers
- clinical technologists
- decontamination technicians
- sleep physiologists
Healthcare Science Awards in Scotland
On Thursday, 16 March, the Scottish Government's Chief Healthcare Science Officer Awards 2023 will take place. The ceremony will be a virtual event, with final details to be confirmed.
These new awards celebrate the skills and expertise of healthcare science staff across the NHS, with awards in the following categories:
- Healthcare Scientist of the year
- Rising Star
- Sustainability Champion
- Transforming service Delivery
- Healthcare Science research
- Inspiring the Future workforce
- Improvement in Action
Get involved with Healthcare Science Week
Follow us on social media to keep up to date with Healthcare Science Week 2023:
Twitter - @NHSScotCareers
Instagram - @NHSScotlandCareers
Use the hashtag #HCSWeekScot2023 to join the conversation, ask questions, and share your Healthcare Science Week activities!
Kirsty, Audiologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
"I knew when I was at school that I wanted to be part of the health service, I just wasn't sure what role I wanted to do, so once I had read about audiology it just seemed like a good fit for me."
Gillian, Trainee Clinical Embryologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
"I didn't really know a great deal about embryology until I got the role of healthcare scientist support worker, and quickly realized that this was the field I wanted to work in and pursue."