Second, if you wish to progress to higher echelons of the career (senior biomedical scientist) you must have two years experience and a MSc. Salaries improve dramatically from here on. Be aware that more often than not, you will be over-educated for the job you do (as a biomedical scientist) and the NHS bureaucracy will have you wanting to slit your wrists inside of two years.
However, there is also the Clinical Scientist route, about which I know nothing.

Hi rjb, I'm a NHS state registered biomedical scientist, specialising in histology. If you wish to work in the biomedical labs you MUST have state registration; this is a laborious process of speaking to the institute of biomedical science (who generally are better at screwing up than not), obtaining a relevant degree (BSc from an approved institution, which is not necessarily the better institution) and completing a registration portfolio. All told, this can take up to three years, during which you will be paid approx £15,000 pa. However, if your degree is acceptable to the IBMS, you just do the portfolio.

Marry if you think they're the one for you. I'm not sure about marriage anymore, mainly because mine's falling apart at a rate of knots!

Alternatively do what I do. As I am a "mature" (I use that phrase VERY loosely) student I do not qualify for any student perks. So I have an online savings account with one bank (into which my stipend goes and which pays the highest interest I can find) and a current account that gives me a debit card into which I can transfer what I need from my websaver. So you need a little planning but I'd rather get 6% off £0000s that way than 4% from a readily convenient one.
Make sense...?

For all you ladies out there: as Feb 29th is coming up, anybody know/will you be asking your partner "The Big Question" this leap year

I've recently developed a penchant for wine.
None of the problems associated with tea or coffee and it's refreshing too! I have heard that continued overconsumption improves your writing abilities (mine were AWESOME after three bottles - or so I thought on the night) but has minor side-effects like cirrhosis, liver failure, increased risk of hepatitis, bad skin, bad teeth, bad BO, loss of dignity and inhibitions.
But I don't believe that.

Olivia - dentists are on the NHS, free as a full-time student (usually the one based at your uni).
If not, have fun enjoying the experience of trying to find a NHS dentist on the High Street!

I drank honey and lemon (once) for a cold and it cleaned my tea mug up a treat - from brown and 'orrible to gleaming pearlescent in one easy step. How about trying the same thing - gargle with honey & lemon for 2 minutes.
...though it might erode yer teeth a bit...

Keep going, we're all with you!

Other than google, which I've nosed at already and just cites paper after paper employing the tecnhique, does anyone have any idea where I can find "An Idiot's guide to how backscatter filters in a SEM work"?

You have my sympathy; hope everything improves from now on.

You have my sympathy; hope everything improves from now on.

I agree olivia, your community needs you: the PhD forum will not be the same without you!

Incidentally, before anyone else jumps down my throat: the initial post was said in jest. Don't anyone take it personally

First to SillyBilly: I said "chav". Not "everyone in Croydon is a chav". There is a (subtle) distinction. I'm sure that you, your parents and a vast majority of Croydon are very nice people. Just not the drink fuelled a**holes out on a Saturday night rampage.
To jouri: perhaps I do, perhaps I am. Who knows? It was my opinion as was your opinion of me!