Ms Eleanor Holden
Eleanor (known as Ellie) enrolled on the Medical Physics stream of the NHS Scientific Training Programme in 2014, following an MSCi Physics degree at the University of Birmingham. Specialising in radiotherapy, Eleanor completed the STP in 2017 and went on to secure a permanent role in the radiotherapy department where she had trained, at Guy’s and St Thomas’s. In January 2020, Eleanor embarked on what was planned as a year long sabbatical travelling the Americas; however the Covid-19 pandemic forced an early return to the UK at the end of March, at which point she volunteered for redeployment in the Guy’s and St Thomas’s Medical Physics department.
Redeployed to the Clinical Engineering team, Eleanor took a lead developing new Trust-wide work streams to manage logistics of delivery, distribution, and storage of medical equipment purchased for the pandemic response. Redeployment was followed by an extended secondment with the Clinical Engineering team to further develop Trust medical equipment procurement workflows, and participate in a programme of change transformation work with the Medical Equipment Management Services.
In January 2021, Eleanor was seconded to the joint DHSC and NHSE&I national PPE programme, as Innovation and Sustainability Manager. In this role Eleanor has collaborated with experts from multiple disciplines, contributed to national strategy, and presented at national meetings, with the objective of reducing the environmental impact of PPE across the NHS and wider healthcare sector.
Eleanor is delighted to be commencing a fellowship with the Chief Scientific Office from September 2021, alongside a return to clinical practice.
Reason for applying for the scheme
Eleanor is passionate about the positive contribution healthcare scientists can have addressing the issues facing the health and social care system at a local, national and international level. She strongly believes that there is untapped potential in healthcare scientists and wants to be active in raising the profile of this workforce and equipping its members with the skills and confidence so that they can take their place alongside medical colleagues as leaders in this space.
Through the opportunities offered by the Chief Scientific Officer fellowship to observe, collaborate and learn from some of the most effective leaders and influential organisations in this space, Eleanor hopes to develop the knowledge and skills to more effectively navigate and influence the wider healthcare system; furnishing her with the tools to deliver transformational change across the health and social care landscape for the benefit of patients, staff and the wider population.
