Make sure to keep an eye on our news page for information on future webinars.
We are delighted to share the next installment in our webinar series. These webinars are free to attend and are open to all.Continuing our AHCS Webinar Serie...
15/10/2025
The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) will soon launch a consultation on the Higher Specialist Scientist Equivalence (HSSE) Programme, and we want you to be ready to share your views.
This consultation is an important opportunity to ensure the HSSE process continues to reflect the evolving roles, responsibilities, and leadership expectations of senior healthcare scientists. Your feedback will help us refine and strengthen the programme so that it aligns with current professional, clinical, academic, and leadership standards across the UK healthcare science workforce.
📋 Why your input matters📋
The HSSE programme provides a recognised route for experienced healthcare scientists to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise, and leadership at the highest level of practice.
By participating in this consultation, you will help:
📍 Improve the assessment and application process for candidates;
📍 Ensure the programme supports professional growth and workforce development;
📍 Maintain consistency and credibility across healthcare science specialties.
Further details, including how to access the survey, will follow shortly. In the meantime, please mark this as an opportunity to shape the future of the HSSE programme.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
30/09/2025
🎙️ Don't forget to register for the new AHCS Webinar "Sustainability and the Circular Economy in the NHS"
📆 9 Oct 2025, 12:00–13:20
Explore Net Zero goals, ethical procurement & healthcare innovation with expert speakers.
Find out more and register by visiting the pinned post on our News & Events page, link in bio 🌐 🔗
This webinar will be recorded. If you cannot attend, we encourage you to still register, all who register will be sent a link to the recording.
23/09/2025
AHCS invites you to our webinar in our series - Sustainability and the Circular Economy in the NHS.
📆 9 Oct 2025, 12:00–13:20
Explore Net Zero goals, ethical procurement & healthcare innovation with expert speakers.
Find out more and register here through the pinned post on our News & Events page. Link in bio 🌐 🔗
17/09/2025
Patient Safety Learning reflects on World Patient Safety Day 2025
17/09/2025
Today we celebrate World Patient Safety Day 2025!
Professor Chris Hopkins, AHCS President shares:
"On 17th September 2025, the World Health Organisation marks World Patient Safety Day, this year themed “Safe care for every newborn and every child – Patient safety from the start!”.
Within this global context, the role of healthcare scientists is fundamental. As President of the Academy for Healthcare Science, I am proud to affirm the profession’s central contribution to safeguarding patients, particularly newborns and children, through the integration of scientific innovation, professional accountability, and regulatory assurance. Our discipline operates at the critical interface of advanced diagnostics, therapeutic technologies, and system-wide standards, ensuring that safety is not optional but intrinsic.
On this World Patient Safety Day, the Academy for Healthcare Science reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding newborns and children through scientific excellence, rigorous regulation, and an unwavering dedication to patient safety. In doing so, healthcare scientists continue to embody their role as guardians of trust, safety, and innovation at the heart of healthcare delivery."
Read Chris' full statement and the full article on our website, pinned on the News and Events Page. Link in bio 🔗 🌐
08/09/2025
New dates posted for Equivalence Process Drop-in Sessions 📆
The next session is:
📆 Thursday, 11th September
⏰ 2pm.
Drop by to find out more about the application process, portfolios, interview support, or ask any other queries you may have.
Find the links to join on our Drop-in Sessions page, pinned in the News & Events page on the AHCS Website, link in bio 🌐 🔗
28/08/2025
Applications are open for the AHCS Equivalence Programmes External Examiner Role. 📝
These programmes include STP, HSS and PTP, and the Certificate of Competence.
Find all details regarding this role, criteria and how to apply on our Job Vacancies/Careers page accessible on our website. Link in bio 🌐 🔗
Deadline: 19th September 2025
19/08/2025
Our next Equivalence drop-in session is tomorrow!
📆 20th August
⏰ 12pm - 1pm
Drop by to find out more about the application process, portfolios, interview support, or ask any other queries you may have.
Find the link to join on our drop in sessions post, pinned on our News & Events page. Link in bio 🔗 🌐
30/07/2025
Call for Expressions of Interest: National Healthcare Science Clinical Leads (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
The Academy for Healthcare Science is delighted to invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals for these four national roles: Healthcare Science Clinical Lead for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
These senior national leadership roles are central to the vision and strategy of the Academy and are supported directly by the President. As agreed by the Professional Bodies Council, the four National Clinical Leads ensure representation from all four nations on the AHCS Professional Bodies Council (PBC) and may deputise for the President as required.
Role Overview
The National Healthcare Science Clinical Leads provide country-specific leadership and are responsible for:
• Promoting and implementing the AHCS strategy and policies within their respective countries.
• Representing the collective professional views of the AHCS to government, media, and key stakeholders.
• Championing innovation, equality, and professional development in Healthcare Science.
• Ensuring a four-country perspective is embedded into national and UK-wide work.
• Representing the AHCS at national events, maintaining a professional media presence, and engaging with professional and trainee scientists.
Application Process
• Expressions of Interest open on 30th July 2025.
• Interested candidates should contact william.smith@ahcs.ac.uk to request an application form.
• Completed application forms must be returned to william.smith@ahcs.ac.uk by 22nd August 2025, accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the applicant’s professional body. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Applications will be reviewed by the President and PBC to ensure eligibility.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal meeting with the President and AHCS CEO.
• Successful candidates will be notified in writing by 3rd October 2025.
How to Apply
Find the full details regarding the roles and how to apply by visiting the Professional Bodies Council page on our website, link in bio.
Be sure to indicate clearly the nation for which you are applying (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland).
23/07/2025
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2024/25.
The report highlights the PSA’s work overseeing health and social care regulation and registration across the UK and sets out how the PSA has carried out its statutory duties during 2024/25.
Read the full report on PSA's website.
17/07/2025
📢 Join the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer at NHS England's Healthcare Science webinar series!
🗓️ Second webinar: Wednesday 17 September 2025, 3pm-4pm
📌 Topic: Healthcare Science leadership and the NHS 10-Year Health Plan
If you would like to attend this webinar, visit the NHS England events page to register your interest in attending the OCSO Healthcare Science Webinar event.
Following registration, an invite will be sent to you in a separate email.
These webinars are open to all Healthcare Science professionals, including trainees—please share!
By registering you also sign up to receive news of future webinars in this series.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Academy for Healthcare Science posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The Academy is the single overarching body for the entire Healthcare Science workforce in the UK and works alongside the specialist professional bodies to speak with one clear voice for Healthcare Science. It was also set up explicitly to deliver The Certificate of Attainment & Certificate of Equivalence for the Scientist Training Programme (STP), Equivalence and Registers for those groups outside statutory regulation.
In subsequent years, the Academy has evolved and we now also deliver Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) and Specialist Scientist Training Higher (HSST).
The AHCS was established as a joint initiative of the UK Health Departments and the professional bodies across Healthcare Science. The AHCS was commissioned to undertake and support key projects including:
Developing consistent regulation for the Healthcare Science workforce e.g. by establishing accredited voluntary registers where none exist. We see this as the first step in our journey to statutory regulation for the entire profession.
Implementing a system to assess and confer ‘equivalence’ of the existing qualifications and experience individuals have, mapped to the outcomes of formalised quality assured training programmes.
Quality assuring education and training in partnership with other stakeholders.
Developing common standards for Healthcare Science practise.
The Academy’s specific role in the education and training system, through Registration and Equivalence has allowed us develop relationships with individual professionals within the Healthcare Science workforce.
