Amelia, Brianna, Mason and Larsson's Tour

Four young patients from across the region recently joined a Harvey's Lab Tour at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI), getting an inside look at the journey their blood samples take through the laboratory.

 

Amelia and Brianna, both aged eight from Lockerbie, met Mason, 14, from Kirkcudbright and Larsson, 17, from Holywood for a tour designed to help them learn more about the testing that supports their care.

 

Throughout the visit, the group followed the journey of a blood sample from collection all the way to testing, seeing the equipment, technology and expertise involved involved at every stage of the process. Along the way, they learned more about laboratory instruments through activities, looked down microscopes, and even made their own mock blood samples to be processed by laboratory analysers.

 

While every Harvey's Lab Tour offers a chance for patients to learn more about what happens behind closed doors, visits like this highlight how the programme can support young people of different ages and experiences. By seeing the laboratory for themselves and meeting the biomedical scientists who process their samples, young patients can gain a greater understanding of why tests are needed and how they contribute to their care.

Gayle, who organised the tour, said:

 

 

For many children and young people, blood tests and hospital appointments can feel unfamiliar or worrying. By opening the laboratory doors and helping patients understand what happens to their samples, Harvey's Lab Tours aim to make those experiences feel a little less daunting and a lot more understandable.