Healthcare scientists recognised with four regional awards | News

Healthcare scientists from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to patient care, education, innovation and service improvement at the South East Regional Healthcare Science Awards.

Healthcare science covers over 50 scientific specialisms, including pathology, medical physics and clinical engineering, and the work of healthcare scientists underpins 80% of all diagnoses.

The awards celebrated the achievements of healthcare scientists from across the south east, and were presented by South East Regional Chief Healthcare Scientist Mark Knight, Chief Scientific Officer Dame Sue Hill, and Dr Christopher Tibbs, Acting Regional Medical Director for the South East.

The south east region spans Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, covering six Integrated Care Boards and 31 NHS trusts.

MTW colleagues were nominated across six categories, with four award wins.

Celebrating a lifetime of dedication

Sandra Hobden, Head Biomedical Scientist for Microbiology and former Pathology Training Lead, received the Regional Lifetime Achievement Award for her longstanding contribution to healthcare science, pathology services and workforce development.

Sandra’s leadership has played a key role in the success of the Trust's microbiology service and wider pathology infrastructure, helping to improve patient outcomes while fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment. Sandra was also commended for her dedication to staff training and education, and for supporting internationally recruited colleagues as they settle into working in the UK.

Supporting the next generation of scientists

Joanna Sillars, Radiation Physics Education and Training Lead, received the Training and Education Award in recognition of her commitment to developing the future healthcare science workforce.

Joanna was praised for her leadership in degree apprenticeships, supporting trainees and project development, as well as her work supporting national Scientist Training Programme initiatives.

Joanna’s nomination highlighted her approachable and supportive nature, and how she provides dedicated one to one guidance to trainees while continuing to lead and enhance training opportunities across the profession.

Transforming Audiology services for patients

Audiologist Aswathi PK received the Hospital to Community Award for leading a virtual clinic pathway transformation project that has significantly improved access to hearing care.

Aswathi developed criteria that enabled more patients to receive care remotely, helping to increase service capacity and reduce waiting times for hearing aids from 40 weeks to just 11 weeks.

The innovative approach allows around 90% of patients to have hearing aids sent directly to their homes and activated through virtual appointments. The project has also helped increase face to face clinic space for patients with more complex needs. On one occasion, the service supported 100 patients in a single day.

Audiology colleague, Merin Abraham, was also nominated for a Rising Star award for her work on the project, recognising her contribution and commitment to delivering the service transformation. Merin also received special recognition in the Hospital to Community category. 

Driving digital transformation in blood transfusion services

Wendy Bonnert, Head Biomedical Scientist for Blood Transfusion, was named winner of the Data and Digital Transformation Award.

Wendy was recognised for leading the design, build and testing of a new transfusion IT system. The project supports the analysis of blood samples and the safe issue of blood to patients who require transfusion.

Innovation improving sustainability and resilience

MTW's Medical Engineering team was nominated for the Research and Innovation Award for an innovative approach to maintaining the Trust's radiotherapy linear accelerators, machines that are used for external beam radiation therapy to treat cancer. 

Emma Sutton, Lead Healthcare Scientist and Head of Regulation, said: “Healthcare scientists play a vital role in diagnosing disease, developing treatments and delivering innovative services that improve outcomes for patients every day.

“These awards reflect the outstanding contributions of our healthcare science workforce and the Trust's commitment to innovation, education and delivering high quality care for the communities we serve. We are very proud of our winners and nominees!”