03 December 2014 – the day I started my job. I remember walking through the main doors and being over-whelmed by how busy and frantic the environment was. It was difficult to concentrate on anything else other than making sure I found my way to the department on time. It felt like I had just … Continue reading A view from a Speech and Language Assistant

I have had asthma and allergies for as long as I can remember, so going to pick up a prescription has just been the norm for me... although I never did understand why it took so long to, “just stick a label on a box”. Fast forward a few years and I am a little … Continue reading One day, whilst I was waiting for a prescription, I thought that working in a pharmacy could be interesting

My name is Mike Biscombe and I am the Operations Manager for Cellular and Anatomical Pathology.   “What is that?” I’m sure some of you will be asking, but first of all let me say something about myself.   I am not an Allied Health Professional or a Healthcare Scientist. I am a fairly ordinary bloke … Continue reading If I, or any of my relatives, needed the services of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology, I know that the service provided would be exceptional

My name is Claire and I am a Specialist Macmillan Head and Neck Dietitian at Derriford. Firstly, let me start by saying I absolutely love my job, every day is different, varied and I feel a valued member of the Head and Neck team. Often, Dietitians are perceived as the ‘food police’ putting people on … Continue reading Can you imagine a life without food?

I feel very fortunate to have discovered the profession of Cardiac Physiology; and it was quite by accident. After completing my BSc and MSc in Cardiac Physiology and my national accreditation in Echocardiography (nearly three-years ago) I have been working as a Cardiac Physiologist here at the Trust. I’m based in the Cardiology Department on … Continue reading A day in the life of a Cardiac Physiologist

Hello, I’m Ann Mason and I am the Deputy Production Manager in Production Services here in Pharmacy. My journey to where I am now… I am a registered Pharmacy Technician and I have worked in the NHS for 36 years with three-years ‘out’ working for a Private Pharmaceutical Company. The grass is not always greener, … Continue reading “It is important to remember that there is a patient at the end of our processes”

I was drawn to Occupational Therapy by chance when I got a job with Social Services as an Occupational Therapy assistant, thinking I might like to do social work. At that time, I had never even heard of Occupational Therapy! I very soon realised that social work was not for me, but thought ‘what about … Continue reading Being an Occupational Therapist – a fruitful and rewarding journey

My name is Heather Sadler and I’ve been a Renal Dietitian at the Trust since 1995. I work as part of a fantastic team of doctors, specialist nurses, healthcare assistants and other therapists, and I lead a team of Dietitians within our department.   We have less than two full-time Dietitians to provide a service … Continue reading ‘Over the years I’ve been a Dietitian, I have learnt that the most important skill is listening’

This time last year I was working as a Radiation Protection Adviser in the Nuclear Decommissioning Industry. I had been looking to pursue a career in Medical Physics for over a year after speaking to a medical physicist presenting at a conference I attended. I wanted to work in a role where I was helping … Continue reading Healthcare Scientist in Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection

I think it’s fair to say most of us take our gut for granted. ,That is to say we are able to get on with our day-to-day life without suffering any ill effects. But there's a lot going on inside us!   Firstly, some facts… From churning of food with digestive enzymes to absorption of … Continue reading “I’m really proud of all my patients and the amazing things they can achieve”