Dr. Mairiead MacLennan BSc, PhD, CQP, MCQI, Ch Mgr, MCMI, FIBMS, CSci
Dr. Mairiead MacLennan retired in 2024 from NHS Fife, concluding a distinguished career that began 50 years earlier at the Perth Royal Infirmary as a Junior Laboratory Technician. Over the course of her career, she worked for nearly 25 years in Veterinary Medicine, ultimately attaining the NHS equivalent of Multisite Manager, overseeing eight laboratories across Scotland. Her portfolio encompassed Education, Training, and Quality Management.
Dr. MacLennan originally qualified in Histopathology and Cytology within the NHS and worked as a Cytoscreener for five years. She subsequently trained in animal blood sciences and microbiology, specialising in Medical Microbiology. Her PhD is in Molecular Microbiology.
With broad multidisciplinary expertise, she transitioned into laboratory management in 1992 and rose through several senior roles in Veterinary Medicine. In 2010, she returned to the NHS, focusing on Quality Management and Training.
She currently runs her own consultancy business specialising in Diagnostic Quality Management and Staff Training &and Development. In addition, she serves as a Technical Assessor for UKAS and contributes to the training of new technical assessors, a role she has held for nearly a decade.
Dr. MacLennan also works part-time as a tutor with the University of the Highlands and Islands on the MSc Infection Prevention and Control course, teaching microbiology and disease to experienced nursing professionals.
She served for nearly 14 years as an office bearer with the IBMS-associated Scottish Quality Management Discussion Group and the Scottish Training Forum Group. Although now retired from NHS service, she remains actively involved with the IBMS, contributing to the Certificate of Expert Practice (CEP) in Quality Management and serving on the Quality Specialist Advisory Panel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. MacLennan chaired the Scottish COVID-19 Testing Quality Group, affiliated with the Scottish Government. In this capacity, she led the introduction, verification, and rapid implementation of various COVID-19 testing assays across laboratories in Scotland.
Her qualifications include a Level 7 CMI Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management, as well as IBMS CEPs in both Quality Management and Training.
In retirement, Dr. MacLennan is learning Scottish Gaelic, a lifelong learning pursuit, and enjoys swimming, jet skiing, reading, and sewing. She looks forward to spending more time with her children, granddaughters, and friends.
