Kareem’s Second Visit to University Hospital Southampton

Harvey’s Lab Tours at University Hospital Southampton have recently hosted several visits for young patients and their families, helping them learn more about what happens to their samples and the laboratory tests that support their care.

One of those visits was a return to the lab for Kareem, a young kidney transplant patient who first took part in a Harvey’s Lab Tour in 2024. Kareem visited the laboratory for his sixth birthday, spending the day learning about the lab and joining interactive activities with laboratory staff.

After his first visit, Kareem continued to ask if he could come back to the lab. When a request for a second visit came through via his play specialist, it really showed the impact the tour had in helping him feel more confident and engaged with his healthcare.

In October 2025, Kareem and his dad returned to the laboratory for his second tour. This time, Kareem arrived feeling comfortable in the lab environment and keen to get involved. While the structure of the visit was similar to his first tour, he met a different group of staff and was able to build on what he remembered from the previous year.

During the visit, Kareem took part in an experiment that demonstrates how biochemistry analysers detect colour changes, learned about red cell morphology using modelling clay in haematology, and finished with an emotions volcano activity. This helped him reflect on and talk about the feelings he may have about his healthcare journey.

Kareem’s second visit shows how Harvey’s Lab Tours can support young patients beyond a single experience, helping them build familiarity, confidence and understanding over time.

Thank you to the team at University Hospital Southampton for continuing to support Harvey’s Lab Tours and for taking the time to make visits like this possible.