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An NHS scientist has been appointed as Wales’ first-ever chief healthcare science officer.

Victoria Heath, who will take up the role this month, will advise the Welsh Government on the most effective ways to use science to improve healthcare.

In her role, Dr Heath will support and represent more than 50 different roles within the healthcare science professions in Wales.

Dr Heath began her career as a biomedical scientist trainee in Oxfordshire, and registered as a biomedical scientist in 2010, before becoming a clinical scientist in 2023.

She has experience in healthcare science roles across the UK and was deployed to Sierra Leone in 2015 to respond to the Ebola outbreak in west Africa.

Dr Heath comes from the NHS’ ME-5 Pathology Network, where she was responsible for the development and implementation of workforce initiatives.

She is also an award-winning science communicator and works to raise the profile of careers in healthcare science.

Speaking about her new role, Dr Heath said: “Healthcare scientists are a vital part of the patient pathway and I’m excited for this opportunity to raise their profile.”

Wales’ health secretary, Jeremy Miles, said: “Her wealth of experience in healthcare science will be instrumental in delivering better health outcomes for patients in Wales through the development and adoption of innovative new diagnostics and treatments. I look forward to working with her.”