The School of Health, Science and Technology situated at St John’s Hospital and part of NHS Lothian’s Department of Laboratory Medicine won the Scottish Government’s “Driving Improvement, Delivering Results” award at the Advancing Healthcare Awards on Friday (12 April 2019). This national award recognises the work that has been carried out to ensure an educated and prepared workforce of the future.

In 2013, The Science Training School was developed at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, to address the issues surrounding the education and training of laboratory staff. From a pilot of just seven students, Sarah Smith, Healthcare Science Professional Lead has managed to change the way in which NHS Lothian provides training and education to its employees by her innovation of blending learning with working so staff can earn while they learn.

The School now delivers a variety of qualifications including MA Apprenticeship programmes via an academic and employer partnership. This allows education and training to constantly evolve to suit the needs of employers as well as SQA or other awarding bodies. Students can also work up from HNC level to (Hons) BSc degree level – from a band 2 to potentially achieve band 6 status. This flexibilty allows staff to move more freely within laboratory medicine.

Students from the school have found the programme very beneficial. One said: “Undertaking the Modern Apprenticeship programme has increased my knowledge and understanding of my role in the laboratory in providing efficient services to patients.” And another student reported: “I have gained more knowledge and learnt more skills which has helped me in my role within the laboratory.

More details can be found at: https://www.ahpandhsawards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AHA-Awards-2019-winners-guide.pdf