Posts are commissioned by employers through the NHS England (NHSE) commissions office either as a supernumerary post created specifically for the purpose of training (direct entry) or as an in-service post, where staff members are seconded to complete training.
Posts can only be commissioned within those departments that meet our accreditation requirements or those who are in the process of applying for accreditation. Employers will be required to demonstrate to both the commissioners and us that they meet the requirements of the NHSE Quality Framework and can deliver the specific requirements of the training programme. The commissioning process occurs annually usually starting in the autumn of the year preceding appointments.
You need to contact your local healthcare science lead. There may be specific conditions that your department needs to have in place before agreeing to commission a trainee post. You must also inform your Lead Scientist and Trust Education and Training Lead of your plans to employ a trainee.
You can find details about your local healthcare science lead below.
Healthcare Science Leads
| Contact details | Area |
| Jennifer Boughen Katrina Oates |
East of England |
| Please email england.healthcarescience.london@nhs.net | London |
| Maxine Kwofie Tel: 0121 695 2500 |
Midlands (East and West) |
| Sally Drew Tel: 07920 834506 |
North East, Yorkshire and Humber |
| Nicholas Fowler-Johnson | North West |
| Shakira Greaves | South East (Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Wessex, Thames Valley) |
| Helene Fouquet Tel: 01454 252726 |
South West (includes Salisbury) |
| Christine Love Tel: 01445 848548 Website: HEIW recruitment to STP |
Wales |
| Robert Farley Tel: 0131 656 3230 |
Scotland |
| Peter Barbour Professor Ian Young |
Northern Ireland |
Get involved with the School
The School promotes the highest standards in healthcare science training, and departments bring their skills and experience in training, together there are mutual benefits which can contribute towards an excellent training experience. Departments can get involved in the School’s work by participating in the following activities:
- recruitment to the training schemes
- assessing for the final assessment
- attending events and meetings
- volunteering for activities such as training centre accreditation panels
Visit our ‘Get involved’ section for further information on how you can help the School.
pagesMaintain links with the School
To keep up to date with latest news and any changes, training officers should ensure they receive the School’s quarterly newsletter and monthly memo. It would also be beneficial to have the contact details for the STP Training Programme Directors. The Training Programme Directors appreciate contact and feedback from training officers, as this contributes to the continual improvement of the programme. Click this link to find out more about our Training Programme directors.
The School will also notify you about any changes to the programme or curricula. It will be the responsibility of the training officer to ensure these changes are applied. Trainers are advised to check the news section of the School’s website regularly.
Maintain trainer/trainee networks (local and regional)
There may be formally convened networks of training officers or equivalent elsewhere in the UK. Networks can also be formed locally, regionally, and nationally through professional bodies, social media, or national conferences. Trainees will also form online networks and will meet others in their specialty when they attend their HEI or School inductions, meetings, or events. If there are trainees in other specialties in other departments, the training officers from each department may have valuable insights to share and, in some cases, learning resources that can apply across the whole healthcare science workforce.