Thousands of patient samples are being carefully analysed to help diagnose a range of health conditions every single day by a small, but important, scientific backbone of the NHS in Bolton.

At Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, 143 healthcare scientists work across a range of specialties, including audiology, cardio-respiratory, and laboratory medicine.

Jamie Osborne, Principal Clinical Scientist at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “What we do in the labs is extremely complex and we’re constantly working on new ways to deliver our services, be it through faster, more accurate tests or by coming up with more convenient ways for busy patients to get their samples to us.

The Bolton News: Jamie Osborne, Principal Clinical Scientist at Bolton NHS Foundation TrustJamie Osborne, Principal Clinical Scientist at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (Image: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust)“Being such an important part of the patient journey is a big part of what gets me out of bed in the morning.

“Thousands of patient samples a day come through our labs, and we have an opportunity to help every single one of them.

“Our service is a really important tool that the rest of the NHS can use to make accurate, speedy diagnoses and get to the right treatment sooner.

“If you’ve ever had any samples taken in Bolton then chances are we’ve helped you.”

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The Bolton News: Healthcare scientistsHealthcare scientists (Image: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust)Healthcare science strives to improve patient outcomes by using science, engineering and technology to prevent, diagnose and treat many different medical conditions.

Across England, their work underpins 80 per cent of all diagnoses, while in Bolton a number of new initiatives have been introduced over the past twelve months to improve access to tests and the experience patients receive.

This includes an online booking system for blood tests at Royal Bolton Hospital, which launched in April 2023.

After just six months, 100 per cent of patients who had a pre-booked appointment for the hospital’s phlebotomy service were seen within five minutes.

Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at the Trust, added: “The work of our healthcare scientists directly impacts the lives of others by helping to diagnose, prevent and treat illness.

“Science and technology are vital in changing lives for the better and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for our health care professions in Bolton.”

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