Publish date: 11 March 2024
March 11 - 15 is Healthcare Science Week.
This annual event helps bring together more than 50 scientific specialisms and professional groups to celebrate and raise awareness of this diverse NHS workforce.
Over the last 75 years, NHS healthcare science has played a vital role in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease and the health of our population.
Healthcare Science Week is an opportunity to showcase this work and inspire the scientific workforce of the future.
Here at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, this week we are introducing a number of colleagues who work in this important area and today we meet Dr Sharran Grey...
What is your name, role and where is your place of work?
Dr Sharran Grey - Consultant Clinical Scientist in Clinical Haematology at Lancashire Haematology Centre which is based at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals
Describe a day in the life of your role
The main focus of my role is diagnosing patients with blood disorders. They are mainly referred to Clinical Haematology by their GP’s with abnormalities of their blood count, or bleeding/bruising problems. I see these patients in my Haematology Diagnostic Clinic. I diagnose a blood or bone marrow condition in around 20% of these patients and I refer these to medical consultant haematologist colleagues for onward treatment. I provide Haematology advice and guidance to GP’s and other colleagues. I have a lead role as Transfusion Medicine consultant at Blackpool. I provide clinical and scientific expertise and support to laboratory colleagues, and work with the Hospital Transfusion Committee to ensure our processes and policies in blood transfusion are safe and are best practice. I am also the training and clinical supervisor to the Higher Specialist Scientist Trainees in Clinical Haematology, who will be consultants of the future. Outside of my ‘day job’ I am the Working Expert for Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload for Serious Hazards of Transfusion (UK Haemovigilance Scheme). I assess cases from across the UK and make recommendations for safer blood transfusion. I also do some university teaching and I am an examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
My patients always come first. It is a privilege to provide a service to patients, some of whom have complex or life-changing diagnoses. To be entrusted with this responsibility is something I take very seriously. I am very fortunate to be part of an amazing multi-professional team who support each other. This is a big part of doing a good job and enjoying your work for the benefit of the patient.
What was your career path to the position you’re in now?
We don’t have enough space here! In a nutshell I started as a trainee scientist in Pathology 37 years ago. I have done virtually every role at every level over the years. I became a Clinical Scientist around 10 years ago and came to Lancashire Haematology Centre in 2019 for a Consultant role in Clinical Haematology.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Receiving an OBE for services to Blood Transfusion and Patient Care is something I am most proud of. It was very humbling to be acknowledged in this way for my individual contribution.
Anything else you’d like to add?
My advice is to keep your mind open, work hard, support others, and seek opportunities that help improve the service to patients. A Healthcare Science career in the NHS can be very varied and rewarding.
If you'd like to know more about working in Healthcare Science, please see this page for more information Healthcare science | Health Careers
