Written By: Aimee Hughes on 16th September 2025
Urology NewsAs we celebrate Urology Awareness Month, we want to highlight the important work of medical professionals in this field. Urology, a specialty traditionally dominated by men, is undergoing a significant and welcome shift.
As more women enter the field, they bring diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to patient care. At Your Medical Services (YMS), we are proud to have a team that reflects this change. We recently talked with Alison Mackay, an experienced Clinical Scientist specialising in Urodynamic diagnostics and Urogynaecology at YMS.
We discussed her experiences, her passion for the field, and how the role of women in urology is changing.
Alison's journey highlights the changing landscape of Urology. She notes, "At the beginning of my career in urology, all the Medical Consultants were male. I think that is changing everywhere in the medical field of Urology."
This observation highlights a growing trend for more gender diversity in medical fields. You can learn more about this on the official NHS Health Careers website.
The increasing proportion of female trainees and consultants is changing the face of surgery for the better. Leading medical research from the British Medical Journal has found that “female healthcare professionals are highly competent, motivated, and hard-working. They are also known for bringing a diversity of thought and new skills to their teams.” This brings a crucial new perspective that can lead to more nuanced diagnoses and innovative patient solutions.
Alison's work also extends beyond conventional clinical practice. She faced a unique challenge in developing modified test procedures for immobile patients.
Her dedication took her to the Syrian Medical Centre in Turkey. She wanted to see how healthcare workers help young men with spinal injuries from war. This experience showcases her commitment to improving patient care in even the most challenging circumstances.
When asked about the role of women in urology this awareness month, Alison highlights the importance of detailed patient discussions. She suspects that "more detailed discussions about symptoms could lead to more detailed testing and specific diagnoses." This patient-focused approach is a hallmark of her work.
Kristian Barford, Divisional Director at YMS, adds: “It’s been great to see more women coming into urology and helping shape the way the specialty moves forward. People like Alison are making a real impact by improving access and raising the standard of care for patients who’ve often waited a long time to be seen.”
She also highlights the important role of women in certain sub-specialties. "The Urogynaecology sub-specialty has been around for a long time. It mostly has female staff who can offer many diagnostic tests and treatment options, but not all." This area is a key part of urology where women have long been at the forefront of patient care.
Mentorship has been a critical part of Alison's career. She was fortunate to have a very senior, female Clinical Engineer as a mentor.
The importance of this relationship is highlighted by the Royal College of Surgeons of England: “A mentor can become a role model, offering the advice and encouragement needed to help mentees through the many challenges they face in their careers.”
As her career grew, Alison found guidance from a variety of professionals. These included experts in Clinical Engineering, Medical Physics, and Academic Urology and Urogynaecology. This commitment to seeking guidance from various experts highlights the interdisciplinary nature of modern medicine.
Kristian adds, “Like every area of healthcare, diagnostics require a strong, collaborative team centred around the patient. Having more women involved across diagnostics and frontline care brings a breadth of experience that makes services stronger.”
One of the main benefits of working with YMS, as Alison explains, is having a healthier work-life balance. After working seven days a week in her full-time NHS job, she now enjoys the flexibility. She says, "I have the assistance of a healthcare professional with YMS. This means I have more time and energy for interaction directly with patients, which is hugely beneficial from a clinical aspect."
This flexibility is particularly valuable for professionals with caring responsibilities. Alison notes, "Anybody with caring responsibilities in their everyday life, can benefit from healthcare during quieter periods. This includes weekends, bank holidays and outside core hours provided by Insourcing." This model helps individuals cope with responsibilities as well as having time to relax.
Learn more about our flexible working model here.
Alison Mackay's insights provide a powerful glimpse into the world of urology. Her story is a testament to the valuable contributions and awareness of women in the field. This is true not just in clinical practice but also in research, innovation, and patient-centered care.
This Urology Awareness Month, we are reminded of the passion and expertise of professionals like Alison who are dedicated to improving patient health. At Your Medical Services, we are proud to create a diverse and supportive environment. This helps our medical professionals provide the best care to our patients.
To learn more about our Urology services we provide to nationwide, please visit our website or contact us directly. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you.
Written By: Aimee Hughes on 3rd September 2025
Musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy is a cornerstone of community well-being, yet these vital NHS services are under unprecedented pressure. As demand increases and backlogs grow, insourcing has become a team effort. It helps provide timely care while maintaining high standards. This guide looks at how insourcing in MSK physiotherapy works. It explains why dedicated clinicians support it. It also shows how this partnership helps NHS Trusts reduce waiting lists and improve patient lives.
All Professions YMS HSCTo find out more about how Your Medical Services can support your organisation, contact us today.