hi, I finished my biomedical science Bsc with a 2.1, got an office job and now 6 months later REALLY want to do a PhD! I miss the science and research and learning and everything! I'm worried that because I did a written dissertation no one is going to take me because I have few 'practical skills' like chromatography or PCR (not covered in much detail in my BSc)

See if you can get some practical experience. For example write to local labs asking if you could do either a voluntary placement or if they have any funded projects you might be able to work on for a short period of time with a view to further postgrad research. In the mean time apply for any positions you are interested in, make it clear to them that while you have little experience, you are keen to learn and are in the process of trying to gain experience. Good Luck!

Thanks Em, not sure if I can afford quitting and doing some voluntry work but I'll see what I can find

You could try 1 day a week just to get pratical experience and to show you really want to do it and have guts to take the plunge! Volunteering looks impressive on your CV and shows commitment!

This is a good time of year to start applying for paid summer employment in labs/university departments. They pay quite well and will give you more experience than your BSc could ever hope to have given you.