Academy for Healthcare Science

01/09/2026

The Academy for Healthcare Science is introducing an updated STP Equivalence Applicant Guidance Document, which will support the launch of a new digitalised application process.

To facilitate the transition, new STP Equivalence applications will be temporarily paused from 1st September 2026 and will reopen on 14th September 2026.

The refreshed guidance, which will apply to applications submitted from 14th September 2026, has been reviewed to improve accessibility, clarity and ease of navigation, helping applicants more easily understand the requirements of the STP Equivalence process while ensuring that the information remains comprehensive and user-friendly.

❓️ What this means for current applicants ❓️

For applicants who have already started STP Equivalence applications, there will be no changes to your current application. The process will continue to operate exactly as it does today, with no impact on existing applicants.

Read the full update on the pinned news post on our News & Events page. Link in bio

01/09/2026

In response to this announcement, AHCS has shared the following statement:

While it is disappointing that Healthcare science is not included within the first tranche of this work, the Academy for Healthcare Science appreciate that this profession will be considered in the next phase.

AHCS will be keen to support and contribute to this work on behalf of the profession, and to ensure equitable treatment of all students in healthcare professions.

Healthcare scientists are integral to the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Encouraging and supporting sufficient numbers of people to enter and remain within the profession is essential to meeting the future needs of patients and the wider healthcare system.

Thousands of nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students will no longer have to pay for their travel and accommodation upfront when they are sent on training placements around the country.

Eligible students can now claim advance payments to cover those costs, easing pressure on their budgets while they are still in training.

Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/upfront-help-cuts-placement-costs-for-healthcare-students

17/07/2026

The Academy for Healthcare Science wish to extend heartfelt thanks to longstanding AHCS Lay Assessor, Yvonne MacKenzie, as she steps from her role.

Over many years, Yvonne has made an exceptional contribution to the Academy, serving as a Lay Assessor and providing invaluable support as Lay Chair for STP Equivalence interviews and on Fitness to Practise panels. Her professionalism, insight and unwavering commitment to ensuring fairness and integrity have been greatly valued by colleagues, applicants and panel members alike.

In recognition of her outstanding dedication to Equivalence and patient advocacy, Yvonne has received two AHCS Chair’s Awards for Excellence, in 2024 and 2026, a testament to the significant impact she has made across the Academy’s work.

On behalf of everyone at AHCS, we thank Yvonne for her years of service, and wish her every success and happiness in the future.

01/07/2026

Today marks the completion of Professor Hopkins' first year as President of the Academy for Healthcare Science.

In an article published on the AHCS website, Professor Hopkins reflects on the past year and what lies ahead.

“It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. Serving as President has been both a privilege and a humbling experience, providing a unique opportunity to work alongside extraordinary people from every corner of the healthcare science profession and across all four nations of the UK."

Read Chris' full reflection on the AHCS News & Events page, link in bio 🔗

01/07/2026

The Academy is pleased to have been awarded the NHS England contract to continue delivering support for the ePortfolio (supported) route on behalf of the Centre for Advancing Practice, following a competitive tender process. This will be the Academy’s third contract with Health Education England/NHS England.

Professor Janet Monkman OBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

"We welcome the opportunity to continue working with the Centre for Advancing Practice in supporting and recognising advanced practitioners who are an important part of the healthcare workforce.”

26/06/2026

The Advancing Healthcare Awards UK 2026, held on Friday 19th June 2026, brought together Healthcare Scientists, Allied Health Professionals and those who work alongside them to shine a light on their vital contributions to patient care, service development, and the future of the NHS.

The AHCS is proud to have sponsored the “Most Inspiring Leader” category. This award was presented to Professor Catherine Ross, Chief Scientific Officer for Scottish Government, whose contribution to healthcare science leadership has had a profound and lasting impact.

On receiving the award, Professor Ross reflected:

“Receiving the AHCS Award for the most inspiring leader is incredibly meaningful and something I was genuinely surprised by. I am especially grateful to the person who took the time to nominate me, their support, generosity and belief in what I do means more than I can express.

For me, leadership has always been about creating opportunities for others to succeed, championing people and professions, and bringing individuals together around a shared purpose to deliver meaningful change. This recognition reflects the many colleagues and teams I have had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career, and strengthens my commitment to continuing to support healthcare science and inspire future leaders.”

The Academy for Healthcare Science congratulates Professor Catherine Ross and all nominees and winners at the Advancing Healthcare Awards UK 2026. Their achievements serve as a powerful inspiration and a reminder of the critical role healthcare science professionals play in improving patient care across the UK.

To see all the winners and photos from the event visit the AHAwards page below 👇️
https://ahawards.co.uk/uk/

To read the full article, visit our News & Events page, link in bio 🔗

Photo credits: John Behets Photography

25/06/2026

📢Don't miss out!

The next session of our Spotlight on Healthcare Science! webinars is taking place tomorrow!

Join us to explore the vital role of Healthcare Science in delivering safe, effective, and innovative healthcare across Scotland.

📅 Friday 26 June 2026
🕚 11:00 – 12:15
💻 Hosted on MS Teams

Hear from colleagues across a range of specialisms, including:

🔬 Genomics
💊 Pharmaceutical Science
🌬️ Respiratory & Sleep Physiology

👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/4dJNtM0

🎤 Interested in presenting at a future session? We’d love to hear from you – register your interest here https://bit.ly/3S785qc

Public Services Delivery Scotland - PSD Scotland
Academy for Healthcare Science
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine - IPEM

17/06/2026

Professor Chris Hopkins, AHCS President, will deliver this year’s prestigious IPEM Woolmer Lecture in Manchester.

Professor Hopkins’ lecture, “Beyond Boundaries: Where Science Changes Lives,” will shine a light on how the most transformative breakthroughs emerge when disciplines converge, revealing that the greatest advances in healthcare occur when disciplines come together with a shared purpose of improving lives.

Past Woolmer Lecturers have included some of the most distinguished scientists and clinicians of their generations, including:

Sir Andrew Huxley, Nobel Prize winner (1967)
Sir Peter Medawar, Nobel Prize winner (1973)
Professor Kevin Warwick, internationally recognised cybernetics and AI researcher (2004)
Professor Denis Noble, pioneering systems biologist (2006).
Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England (2023).

Professor Hopkins said,

“I am deeply honoured to be delivering this year’s IPEM Woolmer Lecture. This keynote carries an extraordinary history. Established in memory of Professor Ronald Woolmer, it recognises a visionary whose work helped shape the future of science, engineering and medicine. As the first Director of the Research Department of Anaesthetics at the Royal College of Surgeons in 1957, Woolmer understood something that remains as relevant today as it was then: the greatest advances in healthcare occur when disciplines come together with a shared purpose of improving lives.

To contribute to this distinguished lecture series in recognition of Professor Woolmer’s remarkable contribution to healthcare, is both an honour and a responsibility.
My sincere thanks to IPEM for the invitation”.

STEF 2026, taking place on 12–13 October in Manchester, convenes leading thinkers, innovators and decision makers from across clinical practice, science, technology and engineering to shape the future of healthcare.

📍 Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
📅 12–13 October 2026

Secure your place and be part of the conversation:
https://ipem.eventsair.com/stef26/

15/06/2026

Your voice matters. 📣

The Academy for Healthcare Science and the University of Manchester are running a UK-wide survey of healthcare science clinical academics, and it only takes a few minutes to complete.

🔗 https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_8CzT2LZoTwzZu4u

By sharing your experience, you’ll directly influence how clinical academic careers are supported and developed.

The number of Healthcare Scientists who identify and work as Clinical Academics across the four UK nations is currently unknown. You are invited to participate in a UK-wide online survey, in collaboration between the University of Manchester and the AHCS, to assess clinical academic capacity and capability within this workforce.

The survey is anonymous, and the data collected will play a vital role in improving understanding of the healthcare science workforce. By systematically characterising this workforce, the findings will inform a set of evidence-based recommendations and support engagement with research funders and relevant organisations, highlighting the importance of Clinical Academic Healthcare Scientists.

The questionnaire has been carefully designed to capture key information relating to workforce composition, roles, skills, and the barriers currently being experienced.

The survey is being led by colleagues at The University of Manchester on behalf of the AHCS.

The survey is now open and will close on the 14/08/2026 at 11:45pm.

For further details, please review the participant information sheet and access the survey via the link above or via the post on our news page, link in bio.

12/06/2026

Our next Equivalence Drop In Session is coming up soon.

📆 29th June 2026
⏰ 2.00pm – 3:.00pm

Your opportunity to find out more about the equivalence process:

📍 Application process
📍 Portfolios
📍 Interview support
📍 Any other queries you may have

Head over to the pinned post on our News & Events page to find out more information and the link to join. Link in bio 🌐🔗