Harvey's Lab Tours - Our story
Where it all began
In 2013, Malcolm Robinson, a biomedical scientist in blood transfusion at Western Sussex NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, was asked to give a tour of his laboratory to seven-year-old Harvey Baldwin. Harvey was receiving treatment for leukaemia at Worthing Hospital and was curious to know what happened to his blood samples.
Malcolm arranged a special visit, presenting Harvey with a lab coat and naming him a ‘Trainee Scientist’ for the day. Harvey got to watch his own blood sample being processed and explored the lab’s equipment and machines. He asked questions throughout, gaining a better understanding of his care—and his parents did too.
The visit had a big impact on the lab staff as well. For many, it was the first time they’d met a patient whose samples they handled so often. It brought a personal connection to their work that stayed with them.
In Harvey’s memory
Inspired by Harvey’s enthusiasm, Malcolm set out to share the experience more widely. By 2018, 40 laboratories across the UK were offering similar tours.
By the end of 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, that number had grown to around 100 sites. Hundreds of young patients were now able to take part in Harvey’s Gang tours—exploring labs, watching their own samples being analysed, and meeting the scientists behind the scenes. Each child receives a goody bag, a certificate of attendance, and, of course, their very own lab coat.
These tours have become valuable not just for the children and their families, but also for hospital staff. They help strengthen relationships between pathology and the wards, improve communication with patients and parents, and bring teams closer together.
New beginnings
In April 2023, as Malcolm retired and the charity was dissolved, the trustees entrusted the IBMS to carry Harvey’s legacy forward.
As the new custodians, we’re committed to expanding access to these tours so more children—and more IBMS members—can benefit. In 2024, the initiative was renamed and given a refreshed logo to reflect its core purpose and bring clarity and positivity to the children and families we support.
