This newsletter contains a variety of information on resources and news articles including our 2026 NES HCS Feedback Survey, the Chief Scientific Officer's Awards 2026, and Healthcare Science Week 2026. We will be launching a STEM engagement group to ensure that we have a bigger impact this year. If you are interested in joining and haven’t signed up yet, please contact us through our HCS@nes.scot.nhs.uk e-mail address.

The last quarter has been a busy one for the NES HCS team – we have completed the Physiological Sciences education, skills and competence framework, and the frameworks specific to Laboratory Sciences, Physical & Imaging Sciences, and Engineering Sciences ones are currently out to stakeholders for consideration. We aim to have these latter frameworks completed within the next month and I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have participated in this work thus far. The short life working group for the development of the Health Informatic Sciences framework is still in development. If you wish to become involved in this development, please contact us through e-mail.

We are in the process of issuing 28 bursaries to those in Band 7-9 roles supporting them to undertake additional academic programmes, research, or sit professional exams to support career progression. We wish all successful candidates well on their journey. More funding opportunities will be available in the coming year so please visit our www.hcstraining.nhs.scot website for details and sign up to our mailing list if you haven’t already to keep abreast of any opportunities.