This week is Healthcare Science Week #HCSW26. As part of the week we spoke to Andrew James Humphries, Head of Medical Device Innovation Services (MDIS)

Being a healthcare scientist means applying science, engineering and evidence to solve real clinical problems and improve patient care. In my role, I work closely with clinicians, clinical scientists, clinical engineers and clinical technologists to design, develop, test, maintain and govern medical devices and technologies.

The decisions we make directly affect how treatments are delivered, ensuring devices are safe to use and whether new innovations can reach patients. We work alongside clinicians, researchers and patients to translate ideas into real clinical solutions, often in complex settings. So, for example, devices currently under trial include electrical impedance spectroscopy technology for motor neurone disease detection, oral cancer detection and Sheffield adaptative pattern electrical stimulation (SHAPES) for post-stroke therapy.

Healthcare science sits at the intersection of science, engineering and patient care. I’m passionate about turning ideas into practical solutions that improve outcomes for patients, especially where standard approaches don’t work or don’t exist.

I am most proud of managing the MDIS team helping clinicians deliver patient care and innovation safely when there is no “off-the-shelf” solution.

The future of healthcare science will involve more personalised medicine, digital health, AI, and locally developed medical technologies within the NHS. My role helps drive this forward by supporting safe innovation, developing governance frameworks, and ensuring the NHS can responsibly design, manage and adopt new technologies for patient benefit.