Profile
Jo Broadbent
GOOD LUCK to all the students in theior future careers, whether scientific or not. And thanks for all the great questions! it's been really good fun.
My CV
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Education:
Hulme Grammar School, Oldham 1983-1990
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Qualifications:
Edinburgh (BSc Molecular Biology) 1990-1994 / King’s College London (PhD Developmental Biology) 1995-1999 / London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MSc Public Health) 2004-2005
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Work History:
Restaurant / Newsagent / Centre for Genome Research / Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority / Various NHS – Primary Care Trusts, Hospital, Strategic Health Authority / University of East Anglia
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Current Job:
Consultant in Public Health
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I use research about the illnesses people have in my area to make sure that the health services we have are the right ones. Its no use our hospital being able to do 500 hip replacements if we only need 50. But not treating any broken legs!
We only have a fixed amount of money to spend on all the NHS services in my area, so sometimes we have to decide which services to spend money on, and which ones not to spend money on. Do we need more midwives to deliver babies, more x-ray machines, or more help for people to stop smoking? Or more IVF treatment?? Which is more important?
To do make decisions about which health services to spend money on, we look at science research about how well the different services work.
We also think about how serious an illness is (is it a heart attack, or a stubbed toe?)
We ask people what services they want (do you want to see doctor once a week, or look after yourself if you can?)
We also think about how much money different services cost (if one heart medicine costs £2 a day, and one costs £20 a day, but both work just as well, which one should doctors choose to give patients?)
One other thing to think about – I work in part of Essex that includes Colchester, Clacton-on-Sea and Harwich. A baby born into a family living near Clacton is likely to die 13 years before than a baby born 20 miles down the road. 13 years less life!! Is that FAIR? An important part of my job is trying to make that 13 year life difference smaller. The NHS helps people all live longer and healthier lives. But it also tries to make how healthy people are more equal. -
My Typical Day:
Busy. Talk to a lot of people. Send a lot of email!
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I do lots of calculations using information from science research. I go to lots of meetings where we talk about how to make health services better. I talk to doctors and nurses and health managers, but also local people, and people who work for local councils and charities. I get a LOT of emails. LOTS.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Raise awareness of how to know when someone has had a stroke – the sooner someone phones 999 and they get to hospital, the less likely they are to die or suffer a major disability
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
small, excitable, a mum
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No, too much of a geek!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Stone Roses, Kings of Leon, Pixies….. Am I allowed more than one?
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a fairy that needs a bath? Stinkerbell.
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