We welcomed Dame Sue Hill, NHS Chief Scientific Officer for England, to St James’ University Hospital. Dame Sue was accompanied by the outgoing President of the Institute of Biomedical Science, Debra Padgett, and the new incoming President of the Institute, Joanna Andrew.
The Trust’s Pathology Leadership Team provided a guided tour of the Centre for Laboratory Medicine (CfLM) – the fantastic new £35million regional partnership facility, designed to serve patients across West Yorkshire. Our guests were impressed by the state-of-the-art spaces which provide a more efficient, more sustainable and healthier working environment.
The CfLM will become operational over the next few months, following the installation of new equipment and the launch of a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) – across all West Yorkshire trusts. As part of a new partnership, pathology colleagues from the Mid Yorkshire and Calderdale and Huddersfield Trusts will join our teams in their new home.
Our own Chief Scientific Officer, Professor David Brettle, and Tim Fforde, one of our High Scientist trainees, met with Dame Sue, Joanna and Debra to discuss High Scientist training and wider innovation work. The development of future scientists is key to delivering our research and innovation ambitions – creating new treatments, new systems and new practices that will improve patient outcome and experience, as well as reducing health inequalities.
Finally, our visitors toured Genomics Labs in Bexley Wing, to meet members of the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Medicine Service (NEYGMS). As the Senior Responsible Officer for the NHS Genomics Programme, Dame Sue was keen to see our systems and share her vision for the future expansion of the service.
Genomic medicine is an incredible diagnostic tool, which could transform healthcare – potentially offering preventative and personalised health solutions for individuals, based on DNA analysis. With our partners across NEYGMS, we are determined to grow and refine our Genomics capacity and deliver more ground-breaking support to our patients.
Dame Sue, Debra and Joanna enjoyed their visit. It was great to spend time with them and share insights. Engaging with peers and leaders across our systems is enormously rewarding for our teams, and crucial in shaping the future services our patients need.