Delivering scientific strategy across the nations

10.15am – 11.45am BST, 9 June 2026 ‐ 1 hour 30 mins

Parallel session

Chair, Ian Godber

This session will be formed by a panel of the Chief scientific officers, Chief scientific advisor and Chief healthcare science officers from the four nations of the UK.

Each of the four nations have published plans that set out ambitious plans for health and care, and although the documents differ, the priorities are aligned around prevention, tackling inequalities, digital transformation, and making the very best use of science and innovation.

At LabMed, we’re keen to make sure that the voice of clinical scientists is right at the centre of this conversation and helping to shape the health services of the future.

The panel will be an opportunity for an open discussion – between the corresponding post holders in each of the four nations, and with our delegates, about how we can work together to progress those shared priorities and how LabMed can support that. More than anything, we want to explore how to make the most of the leadership contribution that healthcare scientists can bring.

Speakers

Ian Young

Ian Godber

Ian trained in Clinical Biochemistry in Dundee and Nottingham, then moved to NHS Lanarkshire initially as a Principal biochemist, and was later appointed to a post as Consultant clinical scientist and Clinical lead, where he developed an interest in laboratory processes and IT.

He was the Clinical lead for the Scottish Clinical Biochemistry Managed Diagnostic Network from 2016-2020. He moved into his current role as Consultant clinicalsScientist and Lead clinician in Biochemistry at the QEUH in Glasgow in 2020.

Ian has been a senior examiner in Clinical Biochemistry for the Royal College of Pathologists for a number of years. In 2025 Ian took up the role of President of the Association for Laboratory Medicine and will be the Congress president for EuroMedLab when it is held in London in 2027.

Vicki Heath

Victoria Heath was appointed as Wales’ first Chief healthcare science officer in March 2025.

With over 20 years experience in health and social care, Victoria advises the Welsh Government on the most effective ways to use healthcare science to deliver improved healthcare.

As the professional lead for healthcare science in Wales, she represents more than 50 healthcare science professions in Welsh Government.

Victoria is dual registered with the HCPC as a Biomedical scientist and Clinical scientist, with a background in microbiology and immunology. She is passionate about apprenticeships and is a Lead assessor for the National School of Healthcare Science. Outside of her role in Government, Victoria is an award winning science communicator with a particular interest in raising the profile of healthcare science careers.

Professor Dame Sue Hill

Professor Dame Sue Hill DBE FMedSci FRSB FRCP(Hon) FRCPath (Hon) FHCS (Hon) is the Chief scientific officer for England and the NHS in England, is the Head of profession for the scientific workforce and provides scientific leadership and advice for the wider health and care system. A respiratory scientist by background, she has an international academic and clinical research reputation

Dame Sue leads and directs genomics in the NHS, driving the world-leading programme to introduce a nationwide Genomic Medicine Service working in partnership between the NHS and academia, industry, UK and international governments/initiatives, building on her work in heading up the NHS contribution to the world-leading 100,000 Genomes Project.

Sue was made a Dame Commander in 2018 in recognition of the scale of her contribution to British genomics, having previously been awarded an OBE in 2005 in recognition of her services to healthcare science.

Catherine Ross

Catherine Ross is the Chief scientific officer for Scotland, Scottish Government’s most senior clinical adviser for Health Science professional issues, and head of profession for the scientific workforce in the NHS in Scotland.

Catherine is a Clinical scientist, Chartered scientist and Chartered biologist and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, the National Institute of Prevention and Cardiovascular Health in Ireland and the European Society of Cardiology.

Catherine has been awarded a number of Honorary Fellowships including the Royal College of Pathologists, Academy for Healthcare science and The Physiological Society. She is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including the Outstanding Women in Science award presented by Princess Anne and the Ulster University Distinguished Graduate Award.

She is a Visiting professor at Edinburgh Napier University, Manchester Metropolitan University and Ulster University. Catherine is a non-executive director of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and a member of the governing Council of Ulster University.

Catherine holds a number of senior leadership positions nationally and internationally. She is the current President of the Science Council, the awarding body of Chartership in Science, and is a Board member of the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions within the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).