INTERVIEW
Passionate about pathology: Debra Padgett on leading from the front
Debra Padgett, Clinical Pathology Lead and Lead Healthcare Scientist, and an IBMS Past President, discusses pathology, working towards Net Zero, and Biomedical Science Day as well as the recent refurbishment of her laboratory.
Tell us about your role and responsibilities. I currently work as Clinical Pathology Lead and Lead Healthcare Scientist for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. My role spans both strategic and operational leadership across our pathology services, working closely with scientific, clinical and managerial colleagues to ensure we’re delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient services. I also hold regional responsibilities as the NENC Pathology Operational Lead, helping to shape our collaborative approaches across integrated care systems.
A key part of my work involves championing the professional development of our biomedical science workforce, and ensuring they are fully recognised for the crucial clinical value they bring. Whether it’s workforce transformation, sustainability, service redesign or diagnostic innovation, I’m passionate about ensuring pathology isn’t just keeping up but leading from the front.
You’ve recently completed a major laboratory refurbishment at North Tyneside General Hospital – can you tell us more about what drove this, and what the benefits will be? The refurbishment has been a significant milestone for our pathology service, driven both by practical needs and a forward-looking vision. On a practical level, we had to tackle the constraints of ageing infrastructure that no longer supported modern workflows. Equally, though, we wanted to create a space that truly reflects the professionalism and value of our team, a laboratory fit for the future.
Debra Padgett, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: “Teams need to feel empowered to improve processes, adapt their skill-mix, and try new ideas.”
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The redesigned space now enables more efficient workflows, stronger
AUGUST 2025
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM
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