Clinical scientist in clinical bioinformatics - the under-implemented recommendation of the Topol Review?

Abstract

One of the recommendations of the Topol Review was the 'expansion of Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) for clinical bioinformaticians'. Freedom of Information requests show that there has been little uptake of bioinformatics trainees, both into the Scientist Training Programme and the HSST. Moreover, there is poor retention of those who completed the training, and evidence of poor appreciation of clinical scientists trained in bioinformatics. Considering that 1) the HSST programme is the only nationally recognised specialist training programme in informatics that allows entry onto an NHS-recognised specialist register, 2) the Scientist Training Programme allows trained scientists to become statutory registered healthcare professionals, 3) organisations receive funding to take up trainees; this under-implementation is hard to understand. It is unclear if NHS organisations are simply unaware of these opportunities, are not able to accept trainees, or do not appreciate the skills of healthcare scientists.