Healthcare scientists are finalists in regional awards

Barnsley Hospital is thrilled to say we had eight people/teams nominated for the Regional Healthcare Science Awards - and three have now gone through to the final awards on 14 March.

It’s a very fitting achievement for Healthcare Science Week from 10-16 March 2025. 

The finalists are:

• Emerging Talent – Brogan Barry
• Community and Outreach – Zoë Clarke
• Patient Impact – Medical Photography Team

Brogan is one of our Field Service Technicians. Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) is equipment which enables people with physical disabilities to control things in their environment or enables people with unclear or no speech to communicate.

In this role he visits clients with disabilities to install EAT, he visits clients to perform planned maintenance visits - essential to ensure people’s equipment remains in good working order - and he sits on the Tech Desk responding to fault calls from clients and sets up equipment for clients. Throughout the first two years Brogan has continuously developed his skills in these areas and has achieved distinction level to date. 

He has also taken opportunities to speak to the Trust Board about his role and the team, raising the profile, not only of what we do but also of Healthcare Science. 

Zoë is Lead Healthcare Scientist at the hospital alongside her role within her specialism of Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT). Zoë has been at the forefront of advocating for the community of those who may benefit from Assistive Technology and developing the provision of assistive technology services in the region and nationally. As part of this Zoë has been piloting a managed loan back within South Yorkshire for the last year, something which has had impact for patients exploring EAT for their communication and control. 

Zoë has also advocated for the role of Healthcare Science in supporting those who use Assistive Technology as well as the role of Healthcare Science within the NHS. 

Medical Photography

Recently, the Medical Photography Team at Barnsley Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust launched a special on-call service. It provides parents who have sadly lost their baby from 16 weeks to full-term with the opportunity to have photographs of their child. 

Previously, this service was run through a charity, but due to inconsistent availability, many parents were left without the option to have their baby photographed. By bringing this service in-house, they are now able to work closely with the midwifery team, ensuring that parents always have access to this important resource. 

This initiative allows us to offer a meaningful and respectful way for parents to preserve the memory of their baby through photography, providing a lasting tribute during an incredibly difficult and emotional time.

Michelle Young, Bereavement Lead Midwife, said: “Michelle Corrie in Medical Photography and her team stepped forward with incredible generosity and dedication. They offered their services with kindness, care, and respect, ensuring that each family felt supported during an immensely difficult time”.

The full shortlist nominations from Barnsley Hospital for the Regional Healthcare Science Awards are:

• Educational Leadership – Lisa Box
• Patient Impact - Barnsley Assistive Technology Team Technical Support Desk
• Patient Impact – Medical Photography Team
• Patient Impact – Audiology
• Innovation Excellence – Catherine Dibdon
• Emerging Talent – Brogan Barry
• Community and Outreach – Barnsley Assistive Technology Team Outreach
• Lifetime Achievement – Professor Mark Hawley
• Community and Outreach – Zoë Clarke

We wish all finalists the best of luck!