My mum is a biomedical scientist, and finds it frustrating that even now, when key workers are being appreciated and recognised more, that her field is still being overlooked.
When people talk about the NHS, the emphasis is always on doctors and nurses—who, while playing such a vital role, risking their lives on the front line and are definitely worthy of that recognition, are not the only kinds of NHS workers. Nor are research scientists the only medical scientists, yet when ‘the scientists’ are referenced, it’s always the research scientists who are meant.
Every day, biomedical scientists keep hospitals running through crucial laboratory work—diagnosing, monitoring treatments, matching for blood transfusions. And yet they’re still overlooked—by the media; by the public; by schools and supermarkets. The Institute of Biomedical Science had to release a letter stating that biomedical scientists are key workers so some could get access to education for their children and NHS shopping hours.
So next time you think about key workers—next time you clap for the NHS on Thursday evenings—remember there’s more to healthcare than doctors, nurses and research.
And if you know of other key worker roles whose fields are not yet widely recognised/appreciated, please let me know so I can do a post for them.