Miss Rachael Andrews
Rachael Andrews studied Mechanical Engineering at Durham University, aspiring to a career solving real-world problems. Undertaking a bioengineering project for her dissertation inspired Rachael to apply her engineering knowledge in the biomedical field. She embarked on the NHS Scientist Training Programme in Clinical Engineering, which consisted of an MSc in Clinical Science (Medical Engineering) at King’s College London alongside NHS placements, specialising in rehabilitation engineering and design.
Since qualifying as a Clinical Scientist, Rachael has worked as a Design & Innovation Engineer in the Clinical Engineering Innovation (CEI) team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. She has also held complementary roles working on rehabilitation engineering projects and in the Metabolic Research Area of the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre. The CEI team utilises an inside-out model of innovation: seeking unmet clinical needs and designing innovative solutions through the application of science and engineering principles in order to benefit patients and the wider health economy. Being based in a hospital gives the team unique access to clinical staff; this facilitates the multi-disciplinary approach that is central to the team’s success, as discussed in the recent paper by Andrews et al, Collaboration for clinical innovation: a nursing and engineering alliance for better patient care (https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120918263).
In addition to leading and managing design projects, Rachael’s role involves outreach and teaching. Rachael recently delivered lectures for the MSc course she had graduated from a few years earlier, and she will shortly take on the role of training officer for her department’s new trainee.
Reason for applying for the scheme
Rachael’s leadership potential was recognised in 2019, when she gained a place on the leadership and development programme run by the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer and the WISE campaign. The CSO WISE programme nurtured Rachael’s professional development through training, mentoring, peer support and networking. A key element of the programme was delivery of a project to re-establish the East of England Healthcare Science Network, with the primary aim of connecting the East of England healthcare science workforce across 50+ specialisms. The network’s events have been well attended, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Rachael is passionate about leading projects to effectively implement the most credible evidence into NHS practice to benefit patients. Although the technological innovation projects that she currently leads offer significant benefits to patients, many problems faced by the healthcare sector - especially the priorities of the NHS Long Term Plan - require system change as part of the solution. Eager to maximise the positive impact of her work, and inspired by her positive experience of working with a mentor and coach, Rachael has recently enrolled in training to become a healthcare improvement coach, as part of a partnership between the Institute of Healthcare Improvement and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
During her NHS Regional Clinical Fellowship, Rachael hopes to gain a broader perspective of the healthcare system through working in a multidisciplinary team at a regional level. She looks forward to further developing and applying her skills to fulfil her potential in healthcare system leadership.
