Healthcare science staff from Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) are inviting people to join them for an Open Day as they celebrate British Science Week, run by the British Science Association, from March 8-17.

As part of the wider National Science Week, healthcare science professionals across the UK are engaging their local communities for Healthcare Science Week and demonstrating the outstanding work of individuals working in healthcare science and their impact on patient care.

Kate Shields, Chief Executive at RCHT said: “Healthcare Science Week is a great opportunity for us to celebrate the brilliant work of all healthcare science staff at the RCHT. It is also a perfect backdrop for us to promote the many career options open to new recruits of all ages. Our healthcare scientists carry out highly specialist and often unseen work as part of just about every patient’s care and they are a vital part of the healthcare team.”

The week will also showcase the difference healthcare science staff make to the health of individual patients and the overall health of the nation, including examples of extraordinary innovation.

Healthcare science teams will also be promoting their profession as an exciting career choice for young people, or those looking for a career change, by visiting schools and colleges.

Sarah Cooper, Chief Cardiac Scientist at RCHT Cardiac Department said: “The chance to get out in the community and promote my profession is fantastic. People working in healthcare science don’t often get the opportunity to talk about the work we do and the difference we make to people’s lives. I love my job and being able to use science to improve the care we provide to patients every day in the NHS.”

The Cardiac Department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital will be opening its doors and hosting an interactive roadshow on Saturday, March 16, where visitors will get fully immersed in cardiac science. RCHT’s cardiac scientists will be showcasing their work, inspiring the next generation of NHS healthcare scientists.

This unique opportunity will offer behind the scenes access to heart scans, pacemakers, ECG and the emergency catheter lab, as well as an opportunity for one to one careers advice, and the chance to chat freely to the team.

This event is open to all ages but will be fantastic for students who think a career in Healthcare Science may be for them. To secure your place please register with Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cardiac-science-roadshow-tickets-55213025646

Sue Hill is the Chief Scientific Officer for healthcare science at NHS England. She said: “Healthcare Science Week is the perfect opportunity to promote healthcare science as an exciting career option and highlight our work to the wider community. Healthcare science staff cover a diverse range of specialisms, everything from directly helping patients on a ward, to working with other healthcare professionals on ground-breaking research.”

Professor Ian Cumming, Chief Executive at Health Education England, said: “Everything healthcare science staff do supports and improves patient care. Their unique contribution of bringing cutting edge science to patient services should be celebrated across the NHS during National Healthcare Science Week.”