Interview with Carole Draycott, Lead Biomedical Scientist

Carole Draycott started working in pathology in 1975 at the age of 19. She is now retiring after a long and successful career in the field. We asked her about the changes she has seen over the last few decades and what makes pathology such a special area to work in.

Carole said: “I had always wanted to work in the NHS and was interested in science and pathology. I chose to specialise in biochemistry and loved it so much that I have stayed there until now. It was the obvious place for me to work because I enjoy taking things apart and repairing them - an essential requirement for a job where you really need to be part scientist, part engineer! Biochemistry is an area with very high throughput, as many results are needed urgently so that patients can begin and progress in their treatment. I have always liked feeling that my role made a difference.

“Back when I started, the only computer in pathology was in the biochemistry area and it took up a whole office at the end of the lab. Results weren’t reported electronically; we attached a printed slip from the analyser to every form and photocopied it to go out to the wards. The computer was fed once a night with a ticker tape taken from the analysers - like the old football results! We had to handwrite all results, photocopy them and send them out in the post, although A&E ones were phoned through. We used glass blood tubes to gather a profile, which regularly broke in the centrifuges. This meant we would have to take the centrifuge out of service to decontaminate it! Now we use plastic tubes, which never break. We processed 300 samples per day then, but now it’s 5000.

“UHNM is a great place to work. Most of our core staff have been here for many years and have been able to progress in their careers. Working here gives staff the opportunity to develop specialist skills as we have the most up to date automation and they can also specialise in protein work, mass spectrometry, molecular genetics and a wide and ever-increasing range of manual assays.

“Due to the pandemic staff have moved into different areas to provide cover for phlebotomy phone lines and additional courier vans to transport Covid-19 swabs to us. They have also supported the mortuary and bereavement departments. The team have supported their colleagues admirably and they have covered additional shifts for staff that are ill or self-isolating, as well as modifying their work pattern to help with social distancing. The specimen team also do a fantastic job, coping with all the last minute changes and demands of the service without a fuss. We are now facing a second surge and this will put a strain on people, but I know they will give their best.

“Biochemistry is a 24/7 service and we keep going, whatever happens. Even now in the face of a global pandemic, the team have never let us down and there has never been a shift not covered. I have been very fortunate to work here and to manage the biochemistry department. It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated staff.”