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Welsh Blood Service scientist recognised in New Year’s Honours List

Welsh Blood Service’s long-serving scientist Lee Wong has been named in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Lee will be awarded an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire, for her career at the Welsh Blood Service, which has spanned over 40 years across several roles.

“I feel both honoured and overwhelmed to be receiving this award,” Lee said.

Originally joining the Service as a trainee Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer in 1980, Lee initially retired in April 2024 as Lead for the National Blood Health Advisory Team before returning as a Lead Scientist for projects and education, marking an entire career dedicated to the Welsh Blood Service.

"I have been privileged to work with amazing people throughout my career, and even though my name will be on the award, I would like to dedicate it to the hardworking and committed staff at the Welsh Blood Service."

Lee Wong

Throughout her career, Lee has been the driving force behind significant change and improvements at the Welsh Blood Service. In 2016, Lee was instrumental in delivering the All-Wales Blood Service programme, which incorporated North Wales into the Welsh Blood Service, which England’s NHS Blood and Transplant had previously managed.

Behind the scenes of the donation clinics, Lee worked hard to ensure blood donations were used in the best way for patients in need. Lee led the implementation of a new national process to help identify and treat anaemia pre-operatively, reducing the need for a transfusion by 52 per cent and patients’ hospital stays by an average of two days, making the treatment of anaemia in Wales one of the best in the world.

As she took on more senior roles, Lee began delivering training for the next generation by introducing a pathway for support staff to become registered Biomedical Scientists through part-time study. With the support of her Blood Health Team and the wider transfusion teams in Wales, Lee helped deliver training to more than 400 final-year medical students on blood transfusion every year.

Throughout her career, Lee also held numerous positions at a UK level, including chair of the UK and Ireland Blood Transfusion Network, Chair of the Professional Education Committee, a trustee and a council member at the British Blood Transfusion Society.

In her final role before retirement, Lee helped change how we manage blood health in Wales with the creation of the Blood Health National Organisation Group (BHNOG) in 2017, making a lasting impact on the community and the lives of those who rely on blood donations.

WBS Director Alan Prosser said: “We’re thrilled Lee is receiving this honour. It’s a thoroughly deserved recognition for her incredible contribution to the Welsh Blood Service,

Alan added: “Lee has been at the forefront of groundbreaking practice as National Blood Health Advisory Team Lead, spearheading Wales-wide initiatives that have advanced the work of the Blood Health National Oversight Group immeasurably.

“Lee is a great professional to be around and has pushed the Service forward in challenging times with energy and a smile.”