AN APPRENTICE pathologist has won a prestigious award for her work treating patients with Covid-19.

Ten years ago, Meghann Creffield was working in a bar in Brighton – a career in a laboratory developing treatment to fight a global pandemic wasn’t even a pipe dream.

But the 36-year-old,has won the "outstanding contribution by an apprentice to an employer" accolade at the Brighton and Hove Apprenticeships Awards.

She was nominated by the pathology department of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where she works.

Meghann has also been nominated for the national apprenticeship awards, which will be decided at the end of the month.

As part of her degree, the biomedical science apprentice was tasked with designing an innovative project which would improve patient care.

Meghann’s work on procalcitonin, a substance produced in the body often in response to infection, had a direct impact on the treatment of patients with Covid-19 by developing a blood test that helped clinicians to form their treatment plans.

The Argus: Meghann Creffield Meghann Creffield

Meghann lives in Kemp Town, a short walk from the hospital.

The single mother of two said winning the award was a special moment.

“I’ve worked towards this for a very long time, and it is a long way from where I was a few years back,” she said.

“I never thought I would ever be able to do a degree and get to work in a place like this. As a young mother I was unable to undertake a more traditional degree route due to time and money constraints.

“Between my personal circumstances and a lack of confidence in myself, I presumed that a degree level qualification was something I could never achieve.

“But once I arrived here, I began to believe in myself and built relationships with people.

“I have been incredibly lucky to have started my working life in the scientific field as a medical laboratory assistant within pathology at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and then to be selected for this pathway and, alongside raising my family and working, I was able to complete a foundation degree and an applied degree apprenticeship BSc.”

It was while studying for the degree that Meghann found out about the blood test that eventually came to help out Covid patients in Sussex.

“I was burning the midnight oil again studying – it was right back at the start of the pandemic – and I was doing some reading and research to help with my dissertation,” she said.

“I found out that in Italy and China a procalcitonin blood test that I had been looking at for my study was used in monitoring how quickly Covid patients were deteriorating and helping clinicians make treatment choices based on that.

“The next morning I couldn’t wait to tell colleagues at work. Based on the information I found me and the rest of the lab team were able to get the test up and running in record time for the use of doctors here and at surrounding hospitals.”

Anne Trezise, a senior biomedical scientist who nominated Meghann, said: "She deserves it. Her application and her commitment to the course meant that she was able to come to the team with this innovative idea. It worked and this has meant an improved service for patients, which is excellent news for everyone.

“The apprenticeship degree has suited Meghann’s work life balance. Our apprentices are in it for the long haul. They develop while they are here, they qualify and can hit the ground running once they start.

“There are clear career pathways and once people graduate, we can take them on in environments they are already comfortable in. Meghann gained a promotion once she qualified, and I know she feels she can achieve her ambitions here – and she can.”