Ms. Debra Padgett, Institute of Biomedical Science, United Kingdom
Ms. Debra Padgett is the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Clinical Pathology Service Manager at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She is also a Chartered Scientist and the NENC Pathology Network Operational Lead. With over 24 years of experience in clinical NHS laboratories, Ms. Padgett has been instrumental in leading transformational change programs that enhance service quality, workforce development and innovation in healthcare.
During her tenure as IBMS President (2022-2024) and over 12 years as an IBMS Council member, Ms. Padgett has been a strong advocate for excellence in pathology services, ensuring that the profession remains at the forefront of national healthcare priorities. She has worked extensively with NHS England, the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath), and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ACB) on strategic initiatives, including the expansion of advanced practice roles, digital pathology adoption, and the implementation of national pathology transformation programs.
In her current roles, Ms. Padgett provides leadership and operational oversight for pathology services across Northumbria and the wider North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS). As Pathology Network Operational Lead for NENC, she has successfully transitioned the network from an emerging to a maturing status under the NHSE maturity matrix. She has also championed transformational change through digital pathology integration, streamlining workflows and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Ms. Padgett serves as Lead Healthcare Scientist for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, a committee member for the BSI ISO 15189 mirror committee, and a STEM ambassador. She has played a key role in national and international forums, leading discussions on pathology effectiveness, workforce strategy and healthcare resilience. She has chaired and contributed to high-profile events, including the APPHG House of Lords discussion on NHS recovery and the IBMS/ABHI roundtable on NICE guidance NG237.
Ms. Padgett remains committed to delivering sustainable, high-quality pathology services through transformational change, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the NHS and its patients.
