Express an interest in hosting trainees on healthcare science training programmes.
Expressions of interest for the 2027/8 Scientist Training Programme (STP), the Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST), the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP) and other postgraduate programmes are open, providing departments and networks with the opportunity to host trainees across a broad range of programmes.
This represents a valuable strategic opportunity to secure fully-funded training places, enabling trusts to build and develop a workforce equipped to meet future service demands and contribute to the ambitions of the NHS 10‑Year Health Plan.
The STP is a 3-year blended academic and workplace training programme. Trainees can either be recruited as new employees (direct entry) or from the existing workforce (in-service entry), and so the STP is a great way to both grow and develop your workforce. Although supernumerary, as part of their training and development, STP trainees will support service delivery, and may contribute to the training of other colleagues within the specialism. This can help to support trained colleagues and improve service delivery for patients. STP trainees are also able to support outreach activities to help promote your specialism, as well as contributing to research, development, leadership, innovation, and quality improvement projects. STP trainees also benefit from a £2,137 training support allowance each year, which can be used to support travel and accommodation costs.
NHS England funds places on both programmes by paying tuition fees directly to universities. Employers also receive a one-off training grant for each funded trainee. This grant can contribute towards salary, supervision, infrastructure and other costs associated with successfully completing the programme.
Hosting trainees can help organisations to:
- build workforce capacity in key healthcare science specialties
- support service delivery and future workforce development
- contribute to research, innovation, leadership and quality improvement
- develop existing teams and support the next generation of healthcare scientists
- invest in future talent to support service transformation
Organisations can submit their interest individually or as part of a consortium or network. We strongly encourage trusts and networks to take advantage of this opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare science and ensure services are prepared for the next decade and beyond. The links to each of the commitment to train portals are below.
The portals are open until 23.59 on Friday 30 October 2026.
If you have any questions, reach out to the National School for Healthcare Science at england.nshcs@nhs.net.
HSST as a consideration for trainees post-STP
After completing the Scientist Training Programme (STP), you can join the HCPC register and work as a registered Clinical Scientist. Once you have gained experience working independently as a Clinical Scientist in the NHS, you may want to consider further career development opportunities.
One option is the Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme which integrates advanced workplace training with funded, part-time doctoral-level study preparing scientists for consultant-level practice. The programme supports you in your workplace to build up evidence to demonstrate that you meet the standards required of a Higher Specialist Scientist (as outlined in the Standards of Proficiency for Higher Specialist Scientists). This programme also provides funding for a Doctor of Clinical Science (DClinSci) qualification, which develops advanced skills in leadership and management, specialist clinical and scientific practice, research and innovation. The HSST provides a £14,452 annual training grant for 5 years and academic course fees.
Successfully completing HSST makes you eligible to join the Higher Specialist Scientist Register and apply for consultant-level healthcare scientist roles.
If you are interested in pursuing the HSST, discuss it with your senior management team and highlight the benefits to both the department and profession. HSST develops advanced expertise, drives service improvement and transformation, strengthens succession planning, and enhances departmental reputation and capability. It also encourages career progression, supports staff retention, and inspires others to train at an advanced level. For the profession, HSST helps build the future Consultant Clinical Scientist workforce, strengthens leadership and advanced practice, promotes innovation and research, and raises the profile and influence of the profession.
Next steps would be for your department to put in an expression of interest through the annual recruitment portal. The portal is open until 23:59 on Friday 30 October 2026.
If you have any questions, reach out to the National School for Healthcare Science at england.nshcs@nhs.net.
What are the benefits of HSST for departments?
Supporting HSST is an investment in the future capability, sustainability and leadership of your service. The programme develops advanced expertise, drives service transformation and innovation, and strengthens succession planning by preparing future Consultant Clinical Scientists and scientific leaders. HSST trainees contribute directly to service improvement, research and innovation, bringing tangible benefits to patient care and service delivery.
Training departments play a central role in supporting trainees to demonstrate the standards required of a Higher Specialist Scientist, as set out in the Standards of Proficiency for Higher Specialist Scientists. Through the programme, HSST trainees access a structured, nationally recognised training pathway that combines workplace-based development with a funded Doctor of Clinical Science (DClinSci). This enables departments to develop future leaders with advanced capabilities in leadership and management, specialist clinical and scientific practice, research, and innovation.
Departments that support HSST enhance their capability and reputation, demonstrate a commitment to workforce development, and foster a culture of ambition, advanced practice and continuous improvement. This can help attract, develop and retain talented staff while inspiring others to pursue higher levels of practice. In addition, the HSST programme attracts an annual training grant of £14,452 a year, for 5 years, alongside funding for academic course fees, helping departments invest in workforce development and future service leadership.
The HSST strengthens the wider profession by developing highly skilled leaders who can provide strategic leadership, expert scientific advice and advanced clinical practice, while raising the profile and influence of healthcare science at local, regional and national levels.
Next steps would be for departments to put in an expression of interest through the annual recruitment portal. The portal is open until 23:59 on Friday 30 October 2026.
For further information and support, contact the National School for Healthcare Science at england.nshcs@nhs.net
Sharing Good Practice Webinars
Neurodiversity-affirming practice in healthcare science
Wednesday 25 November 2026 – 12pm to 12:30pm
Shirin Davies, a Clinical Scientist, will deliver a session to increase understanding of neurodiversity in the NHS workplace and explore practical ways to support neurodivergent staff to thrive rather than simply cope.
Based on the Neurodiversity-Affirming Care and Support Toolkit from Neurodiverse Connection, the session will introduce the SPACE Framework and signpost attendees to resources that can help create more inclusive, effective and supportive workplaces.
Reflective practice through verbal dialogue: a case study from a Medical Physics STP
Wednesday 9 December 2026 – 10:30am to 11am
Deirbhile Sharkey, an STP trainee and Jonathan Cole, their STP Training Officer will describe how they co-developed a technique for reflective practice through verbal dialogue. They found that this was not only straightforward and time-efficient, but also beneficial for both learning and reflecting on work practices within the wider department.