It was whilst Rachel was working for Public Health England and with support and training at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital that after a decade in environmental, food and water microbiology she made the switch into medical diagnostic science. Upon qualifying as a biomedical scientist in 2004 she practised in medical microbiology at St Thomas’ Hospital and subsequently at Gloucester Royal Hospital and most recently The University Hospital of Wales. Whilst having gained wide experience across all aspects of laboratory microbiology Rachel has specialist areas of interest within Respiratory Microbiology including Cystic Fibrosis and molecular biology which she believes will shape the future for the diagnostic service. She is actively involved in promoting and educating school age children about careers within science in her role as a STEM Ambassador.
“I see an exciting time ahead within my new clinical biomedical scientist role at Public Health Wales as we support the role out of narrative authorising. The addition of narrative to positive microbiology reports will allow us to engage, support and educate end users both in primary and secondary care. Already being proved of huge value this will undoubtedly improve the service and continue to support the aim for quality in, quality out”