Welcome to
Science for the Next Generation

The theme of the 22nd Schools Science Conference is Science for the Next Generation 

• Healthcare scientists are a diverse and specialised community within the NHS, using their knowledge and expertise to develop, design, and deliver patient care.
• They carry out over 1 billion diagnostic and scientific investigations and interventions every year.
• There are over 56,000 people that make up the healthcare science workforce in England.
• They work in over 150 service areas across pathology and laboratory science, physiological sciences, data science, bioinformatics, medical physics and clinical engineering.
• The healthcare science professionals who deliver these services are a unique and specialised workforce.
• Healthcare scientists are fundamental to clinical decision making and ensuring patients receive timely, high quality, cutting-edge care.
• If you’ve received a diagnosis in the past few years, there’s a very good chance that a Healthcare Scientist contributed to it in some way.
• That’s because approximately 80% of all diagnoses in the UK are reached with a contribution from Healthcare Scientists and many therapeutic and rehabilitation interventions also rely on our work.
• Healthcare Scientist have embraced AI to support diagnosis and disease monitoring.
• Examples include >>
• In data analysis, Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms are empowering healthcare scientists to extract invaluable insights from the vast sea of unstructured clinical data. By deciphering electronic health records and clinical notes, clinicians can make more informed decisions and provide superior patient care.
• AI’s groundbreaking pattern recognition capabilities are transforming healthcare as we know it. From peering through the lens of a microscope to unravel the mysteries of abnormal cells, to delving deep into the intricacies of DNA sequences to detect mutations, AI is at the forefront of revolutionizing diagnostics and patient care.
• Healthcare scientists are harnessing the power of AI algorithms to dissect and analyze medical images with unprecedented precision. From X-rays to MRI scans, AI’s discerning eye aids in the swift detection of abnormalities, providing invaluable assistance to radiologists in making accurate diagnoses, thereby enhancing patient outcomes.
• Collaborating with AI developers, healthcare scientists are spearheading the creation of innovative digital health tools. From smartphone apps to wearable devices, these tools empower patients to monitor their health, adhere to treatment regimens, and communicate with healthcare providers remotely, fostering greater patient engagement and self-management.
• Furthermore, AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots are seamlessly integrated into healthcare systems to streamline administrative tasks, address patient inquiries, and provide personalized health information. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also improves patient satisfaction and accessibility to healthcare services.
• AI is paving the way for precision medicine approaches tailored to each patient’s unique genetic makeup.
• The future of healthcare is bright with AI leading the way. As time progresses, AI’s role in healthcare will only grow, promising transformative advancements that will revolutionize the way we approach healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.