Working with European partners
Following the recruitment campaign in September 2015 in Portugal for Biomedical Scientists, SWLP were keen to forge links within Portugal with the university professors who have access to alumni as well as senior members of the APTC (Portuguese Association of Clinical and Technical Public Health Analysis).
In February 2016, Lisa Noble, HR Business Partner and Sean Lynch, Clinical Blood Sciences Discipline Manager, went to In February 2016, Lisa Noble, HR Business Partner and Sean Lynch, Clinical Blood Sciences Discipline Manager to meet two university professors – Fernando Bellem, from the Escola Superior de Technoligia da Saude de Lisboa (ESTeSL) and Fernando Mendes, from Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Coimbra (Coimbra Health School).
This was an opportunity to gain information on the similarities and differences in education between biomedical scientists in the UK and Portugal.
The universities are keen to promote links with SWLP in several ways:
1) Specialist postgraduate education
2) Being an associated partner
3) Postgraduate distance learning courses
4) Internships for European students
Two of the specialist biomedical staff recruited from our recruitment campaign, Rui De Jesus Leite and Marina Francisco Vieira, attended the universities that we are keen to make links with.
Marina Francisco Vieira
ESTeSL was a great university. I acquired theoretical and practical experience with experts in the field. ESTeSL has given me the essential tools to have a smooth adaptation into the world of work.
Coming to SWLP was the right step in my career. London has a unique environment that provides atypical cases which has allowed me to improve my knowledge. So far, the whole experience has been amazing and I’m sure it’ll continue to be.
Rui De Jesus Leite
During my time at Coimbra Health School I’ve acquired crucial knowledge to become an efficient BMS. I chose this specific university because of its great focus on quality education – it provides students with great facilities, professors and good practical stages. It helps students integrate into the work environment.
I feel that these factors were fundamental in my first years of BMS work and I think that studying at Coimbra Health School has added great value.
It has contributed to my integration within the SWLP Haematology laboratory. Values that are fundamental to a good biomedical practice are similar in every part of the world and they’ve certainly been passed to me from my studies. I’m sure that SWLP and Coimbra Health School will benefit from future collaboration projects. It’s a ‘win-win’ scenario.