Hallie’s Lab Tour at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHSFT

For many children, the laboratory can feel like a strange place - somewhere their samples go, but rarely somewhere they get to see. For Hallie, a paediatric haematology patient at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, a Harvey’s Lab Tour gave her the chance to change that.

On 27th October, Hallie joined the pathology laboratory to learn more about what happens to her blood samples and how this work supports her care.  The visit was an important milestone for the Trust, as Hallie was the first patient to take part in a Harvey’s Lab Tour there.

Hallie’s mum, Nina, came along too, and laboratory staff talked them through the journey of a blood sample, explaining how pathology results help guide treatment decisions for patients like Hallie. The team took time to answer questions and explain each step in a way that felt fun and easy to understand.

After the visit, Nina shared some lovely feedback about the experience and what it meant for Hallie:

Thank you so much for today, it really was fascinating. Hallie thoroughly enjoyed it as well, and she’s even taken the Harvey’s Lab teddy to bed with her tonight. I know she is only five, but I think it’s amazing that she had the chance to experience today, and that you all spoke to her and explained things. We can’t thank you enough.

Congratulations to the team at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust on launching Harvey’s Lab Tours at the Trust. We look forward to seeing many more take place in future.