A chance to Learn
Chief Medical Scientist Niamh Phillips at the Public Health Microbiology Laboratory in St. Finbarr’s Hospital Cork explains how the safefood Knowledge Network has benefited her work.
Dubliner in a Niamh Phillips has always had a keen interest science and biology. This saw her complete Science Degree in Trinity College Dublin, specialising in microbiology. While working in the Public Health Laboratory in Dublin, she went on to obtain an MSc in Molecular Pathology in 2005, in which she developed and validated a multiplex PCR for the detection and sub-typing of virulence genes in Verocytoxigenic E.coli. In 2006 Niamh moved to Cork to a position in the Public Health Microbiology Laboratory in St. Finbarr’s Hospital. She has held the position of Chief Medical Scientist there since 2011. It’s a role she clearly enjoys in which no two days are the same.
Niamh’s main focus is to keep all the sections of the laboratory running smoothly, which allows staff to focus on their work. “Our laboratory is one of nine HSE food safety laboratories, designated as official control laboratories under EU Regulation 625/2017. The laboratory is accredited to ISO17025, and my role as technical manager means that I could be developing sampling plans with service users, managing staff rotas, working with the quality manager on audits, or troubleshooting testing issues with technical staff,” she explains. It’s a busy role but Niamh relishes the diversity and the opportunity to keep learning. One of her favourite aspects of her job is the interaction with staff and service users. ”It is fantastically rewarding to engage with our service users to establish their requirements, and then to work with our laboratory team to meet those requirements,” she says. “Many of our service developments require expertise and skills in method validation, IT system administration, quality systems, and change management, and it is very fulfilling to see the team come together and use those skills to improve the service.” It is, however, not without its challenges and requires Niamh to be focused on both organisation and time management. “No sooner have you made a plan to address an issue, something else pops up that requires immediate attention. An ability to multi- task and prioritise activities is a must for this role.”
As someone who loves a challenge and is keen to learn, it’s no surprise that Niamh is a fan of the safefood Knowledge Network and has utilised it in her career. “The safefood Knowledge Network is a fantastic resource for anybody working in a food testing laboratory, indeed for any professional working in the area of food safety,” she says. The network offers a Food Safety Skills fund which gives members the chance to apply for funding to visit other laboratories and attend conferences. Niamh took up this opportunity a number of years ago and the experience was, she says, extremely valuable. “I was funded through the programme to visit the Public Health Laboratory in Belfast for a week. The opportunity to observe the workflows, to learn about the equipment used, and to meet and exchange views with the staff in another Public Health Laboratory was invaluable and is something I still tap into every now and then.”
The Knowledge Network is perhaps best known for bringing local, national and international experts together to share their expertise with members. As Niamh explains, these talks and events have often provided valuable information and guidance on topics relevant to the laboratory and its staff. “Recently, a number of our laboratory staff attended a training session on the transition to ISO17025:2017 hosted by the Knowledge Network,” she explains. “The workshop was invaluable in giving us a better understanding of the new standard and the changes within it.”
The Network has also helped the laboratory in its work too and, as Niamh explains, the information obtained at these conferences and events is having a real impact on the work Niamh and her colleagues do. “Having attended the safefood Network Conference on Molecular Methods in 2016, we were equipped with the relevant information to select and verify a commercial PCR kit for the detection of salmonella in foods and environmental swabs. We were awarded accreditation for the method in 2019, and will shortly be introducing it as a negative screening test.
This will significantly increase the sensitivity of our method, reduce our hands-on time, and provide a shorter time-to-result.” It’s clear that there is a great working relationship between the laboratory and safefood and this is enabling staff to upskill and expand their knowledge. “Over the years, safefood has always engaged with us to establish what the emerging areas of interest are for us, and how our service would benefit most from their support,” Niamh says. The fact that safefood workshops are often offered in locations across the island (Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Galway) is also a benefit as it means they are often easier to attend. “It can be challenging to source funding for external training in these times of budgetary constraints, and we are extremely grateful for safefood’s support in up-skilling our staff. There is a wealth of information and knowledge out there, and the Knowledge Network provides the perfect hub to tap into that expertise.”
About Niamh
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Balbriggan, a seaside town in north Co. Dublin
Is there a book that has inspired you? I tend to go for light fiction as it helps me to unwind at the end of a busy day – I recently read ‘A Man called Ove’ by Frederik Backman which I thoroughly enjoyed.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Living in East Cork, I’m very fortunate to have so many lovely amenities on my doorstep. When
time (and weather) permits, I love to have some quality time with my family walking on Garryvoe
beach, or visiting the arboretum or wildlife park in Fota.
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