The Institute of Biomedical Science

www.ibmscongress.com

IBMS Yorkshire

Annual report 2011

The Yorkshire Region branch is made up of three local branches, East Yorkshire, West Riding and Sheffield. The committee has representatives from each of these branches, and has met four times during this year.

As a region we have delivered a rolling CPD programme, aimed at providing an opportunity for education and discussion, with topical and diverse subject matter.

The first meeting was held at York teaching hospital in June. Three speakers provided an excellent programme of lectures. These included Sally Slack (principal biochemist at York teaching hospital) discussing cases of ethylene glycol poisoning, Neil Porter (clinical development adviser forMSC) delivering and update on modernising scientific careers and finally Debbie Childs (cardiovascular advisor Boehringer-Ingleheim) who questioned the continued need for warfarin monitoring and Dabigatran.

The second meeting held at the Hull Royal Infirmary in November. Four speakers delivered a diverse afternoon of lectures.

These started off with Jill Rodney describing the future of the IBMS under her leadership. Dr Emma Williamson (consultant microbiologist Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust) gave a illuminating talk on the epidemiology and symptoms of anthrax. Dr Bipin Mathew (consultant histopathologist Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust) explained the powerful changes that can happen with too much sun on your skin. Finally Abbott Diagnostics gave an insight into change management.

The branches within the region meet regularly and provide educational and social meetings for their members. The West Riding branch runs a microbiology discussion group which provides an opportunity for members from other branches to attend. They also arranged a bowling night as a social event for members.

The Sheffield branch met four times over the last year and provided two educational CPD meetings for its members. At the first of these meetings in May, Chris Murphy updated the members on the developments in Modernising Scientific Careers while Julian Burton gave a very informative presentation on decomposed bodies and the autopsy. The second CPD evening was linked to the Sheffield branch AGM and had three presentations. Roger Palfreeman gave a very informative and thought provoking presentation on the use of blood doping in sport. Martin Loxley reviewed the CPA standards for point of care testing and when laboratories are ready to 'tick the box'. Finally Helen Walker demonstrated and gave advice on the use of eCPD. Both meetings were well attended by IBMS members.

IBMS president's prizes were presented to students from Hull, Sheffield and Bradford universities, the Yorkshire region MSc prize was also presented at Sheffield.

The Yorkshire region also sponsored six members of the profession, two from each branch area to attend the IBMS congress this year for one day plus up to £70 travel expenses. There has been very positive feedback from the recipients of the sponsorship.

The region will continue to run its rolling CPD programme, sponsoring another two meetings next year.

Local branches and the regional committee will sponsor individuals from across the region to attend the IBMS congress and will award the Yorkshire Region IBMSMSCprize.

The committee remain positive about the role of the IBMS in the future and will maintain its high profile in encouraging local branches to promote and develop biomedical scientists.

Alison Eyre

Contact IBMS Yorkshire

Alison Eyre
Alison.Eyre@hey.nhs.uk