05.11.2004
A new work-based course, being delivered by the University of Brighton in partnership with the Sussex Pathology Network, is expected to become an important provider of state registered biomedical scientists.
There is currently a national and regional shortage of such professionals and the Brighton BSc(Hons) Applied Biomedical Sciences degree is one of five new courses launched in the UK this year to improve recruitment into the profession.
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Training facilitator Dr Sarah Pitt, with students
Heather Forester and Rebecca Tripp.
Biomedical scientists work in hospitals as part of the pathology team, providing an essential diagnostic service to clinicians. They carry out a wide range of diagnostic tests - a familiar example would be the detection of excess sugar in blood or urine as an indicator of diabetes. Others enter a variety of associated careers including biotechnology and forensic science.
The new degree is a joint venture between the university and the partner pathology departments of the Sussex Pathology Network (Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust).
Under the scheme, graduates become state-registered biomedical scientists after a three-year programme of education and training that integrates work-based learning and academic study.
Students on the course are employed as trainee biomedical scientists within the Sussex Pathology Network. Their salaries and training costs, and those of a training facilitator, are funded by the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority.
Dr Jim Cunningham of the university's School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, who is course leader for the new degree, said:
"Our team of academic and NHS partners have worked closely together on this new programme aimed at improving recruitment of qualified staff into the Pathology Service and we are delighted to see its launch thanks to the generous support of the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority."
Contact:
Dr Jim Cunningham
University of Brighton
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular
Sciences
phone 01273 642051
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
