Council reviews regulation, training and engagement

Council membership

Council welcomed newly elected members, who joined discussions ahead of formally taking up their roles after the AGM.

Council also thanked outgoing Council members and staff for their contribution, including Sue Jones, Executive Head of Education, and outgoing elected Council members Charlie Houston and Alan Deacon.

Statutory regulation

Council discussed the Scottish Government’s review of healthcare science regulation and the potential implications for biomedical scientists.

Council supported the principle of appropriate regulation for healthcare science professions where this protects patients and strengthens professional accountability.

The discussion also emphasised the importance of maintaining statutory regulation for biomedical scientists. Council agreed that any IBMS response should clearly set out the role of biomedical scientists in patient safety, patient care and quality assurance.

Council also considered how regulation supports advanced and consultant-level practice, where professionals must work within their skills, competence and scope of practice.

Education and professional standards

Council received an update from the Education and Professional Standards Committee.

The committee noted several Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) updates and discussed ongoing work on IBMS top-up modules.

LearnSci Smart Worksheets across the six clinical specialisms have now been completed, but further work is needed before the modules can launch.

The committee also discussed examiner and reviewer honoraria, the IBMS educational digital strategy, and how research funding should align with the IBMS strategy.

A further discussion on the digital strategy will take place at the July committee meeting.

Laboratory training approval

Council noted that work continues on proposed changes to the laboratory training approval process.

The proposals are intended to strengthen support for portfolio verification and examiner roles, while recognising the need to avoid unintended consequences for approved training laboratories.

Further work will return to the Education and Professional Standards Committee in July.

Member services and digital systems

Council received an update on the next phase of the CRM and website project.

Phase two will focus on improving digital systems, member self-service and internal processes. The work will move from pre-discovery into more detailed solution-focused workshops with suppliers.

A further report is expected in September.

Council also noted that an update on education turnaround times had been published for members. Current performance remains within the 60-day target, with registration portfolio processing reported at 22 days and specialist portfolio processing at 29 days at the time of the meeting.

The IBMS will continue to monitor performance during the busy summer period, when a significant proportion of certificates and registrations are processed.

Digital learning platforms

Council noted continued work to bring IBMS learning platforms together through Moodle.

The aim is to reduce duplication across platforms and provide a more consistent experience for members using digital education resources.

Further work is being carried out on the practicalities, costs and transition from existing systems.

Membership and engagement

Council noted ongoing work from the Membership and Marketing Committee.

This includes the development of a practice educator discussion group, planning for the member engagement survey, alignment with the IBMS strategy, and further exploration of digital membership cards.

Research and evidence programme

Council received an update from the Strategic Research Group.

The current project is looking at the role of biomedical science in routine maternity care, under the working title “Pathway to new life”.

The work will focus on defined areas of antenatal testing, including blood group and rhesus status, full blood count, glucose screening, infectious disease screening and diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.

The project is being developed with Oxera, following the earlier IBMS bowel cancer pathway work. Expert groups will support detailed work over the summer, with an output expected later in the year.

Biomedical Science Day and outreach

Council noted strong engagement with Biomedical Science Day activity across the UK.

The IBMS sent out its highest number of event packs to date, with significant activity across social media. Seven MPs also posted about Biomedical Science Day.

Over 350 Biomedical Science Day event packs were distributed and forty six activity grants awarded to members, worth £18,000 in total, to support member-led events.

Council also received an update on the Learning Lab. The mobile outreach vehicle has a growing programme of activity, with 18 events planned over the next six months and 14 already planned for 2027.

The IBMS is also exploring sponsorship opportunities to support the long-term development of the Learning Lab programme.

National Pathology Week

Council discussed IBMS involvement in National Pathology Week.

Planned activity includes public-facing content comparing over-the-counter tests with main laboratory testing, with possible themes including COVID-19, cholesterol and allergy testing.

The IBMS is also looking to support “Welcome to my laboratory” activity, aimed at students and others considering pathology careers.

Regional Council updates

Council received its first regional updates, with reports from the IBMS North East and Wales Regions.

The North East report highlighted work across the North East and North Cumbria pathology alliance, including the Pathology Alliance Training Academy. The academy supported 19 people to registration within 12 months, with those individuals appointed locally.

The region also reported progress on digital pathways, equipment renewal, laboratory information systems and a pool of active verifiers and examiners.

The Wales report highlighted work across health boards, the Welsh Blood Service and Public Health Wales.

Council noted the development of a pathology academy in Wales, supported by an IBMS grant, and the introduction of pathology practice education facilitators.

Wales has also continued to strengthen outreach activity in both English and Welsh, including translated resources, science festival activity, Pride Cymru participation and plans for a possible Wales Biomedical Science Conference.

Finance, audit and risk

Council received an update from the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

The investment portfolio remains stable despite wider economic uncertainty.

Institute finances are on track with the planned budget.

Council also approved the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee terms of reference.

Professional standards and informatics

Council received reports on IBMS representation in standards and informatics work.

The ISO/TC 212 report highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence, genomics and the practical implementation of standards.

Council also noted continued IBMS involvement in pathology informatics discussions, including work linked to standardisation and national digital programmes.

Public affairs and workforce issues

Council noted ongoing public affairs engagement with parliamentarians, ministers and stakeholders across the political spectrum.

The IBMS is continuing to raise workforce issues, including visa renewal challenges affecting some members.

A draft template letter for members to send to MPs is being developed as part of this work.

Council will continue to monitor progress across these areas and ensure that member views inform work on education, workforce planning, regulation and the future of biomedical science.

Next meeting

The date of the next Council meeting is Friday 18th September.