- Two of Bolton’s healthcare scientists recognised at North West Healthcare Science Awards
- Jamie Osborne and Lorenz Becker work to support patient care improvements
- One project sees people with prostate cancer able to take their own blood at home instead of clinics
Two of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s clinical scientists have been recognised for their innovative and transformative work to improve the lives of patients at the North West Healthcare Science Awards 2026.
The awards are an annual event that celebrates the exceptional contributions of healthcare scientists across the region, spotlighting individuals and teams whose diagnostic work, patient care improvements, and innovations transform the NHS.
Jamie Osborne won the Research and Innovation Award after delivering a major project that allows people with prostate cancer to take their own blood in the comfort of their own home instead of needing to attend hospital or other clinics.
His idea was to use portable blood collection devices, which also take 99% less blood than a normal sample, to help remove some of the barriers linked with travelling to hospital.
The initiative has also freed up hospital phlebotomy appointments. Jamie, Principal Biochemist at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“I feel very flattered to have received this award and am delighted to see our work recognised at this level.
“Our projects are very much a collaborative effort, so I’m very grateful to all the different teams who have helped us along the way!
“We’re always working to make our services the best they can be, and being at the forefront of technology helps us achieve that.”
Lorenz Becker, Senior Clinical Scientist at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, was runner-up in the Data and Digital Transformation Award.
Lorenz has developed multiple tools to improve the lives of colleagues working on evaluating new IT systems in laboratories. His design and implementation of an AutoTester for a new WinPath system has saved people thousands of hours by automatically testing reporting scenarios, freeing up time for staff do more patient focused activities.
Lorenz said:
“It is wonderful for the hard work that everyone in pathology puts into serving our community is being recognised.
“As a “behind the scenes” discipline, we aim to support our patient-facing colleagues with quick and reliable test results. I am touched to have my department’s support to innovate, test, and implement tailor-made tech solutions to make the best possible use of our resources and improve our performance, for our patients, and for a better Bolton.”
