Blogs

Consultant clinical scientist Nigel Brown reflects on his career after receiving a prestigious honour

Nigel Brown, who has worked for the trust for more than 14 years, has been awarded a Life Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). At the annual dinner and AGM in York, they spoke about how Nigel has furthered the profession of toxicology internationally, and his contribution to the IBMS as chief examiner and member of the clinical chemistry committee for more than 20 years. Nigel took semi-retirement earlier this year, but still works 2 days a week.

It was an unexpected honour to be given life membership of the IBMS but was a very welcome acknowledgment of years of work which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I started work in Ashington Hospital in 1982 being a somewhat fresh-faced graduate from Newcastle University. The on-the-job training from the lab supplemented by day release and night classes set me up for my long and varied career, which included an unexpected move to London working in academia, before coming back the NHS in a more senior lab role.

I have presented data at various international meetings including a meeting in Rome to decide on a therapeutic range for an immunosuppressant drug – somewhat daunting to present data to around 40 leading experts in transplant and laboratory medicine!

I also led the adoption of mass spectrometers in the routine measurement of drug levels in blood at a major London teaching hospital.

Coming back to the North East to lead the toxicology service at Northumbria Healthcare was enjoyable (though not without frustrations) and I am very happy to have left the service in a good condition for my successor.

I would recommend a career in any of the pathology laboratories to anyone, but would obviously suggest toxicology first followed by clinical chemistry.

Involvement in the professional bodies like the IBMS was and still is important, not least because they provide guidance to those providing the education to the folk who will staff the laboratories of the future.

None of us should ever hold information to ourselves but we should be generous and pass it on to others - though it has been said I will provide CPD (continuing professional development) talks to folk whether they like it or not!