Reggie and Oscar's Tour at NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Over the summer, NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomed Reggie (aged 8) and Oscar (aged 11) to a special Harvey’s Lab Tour with their families. Throughout their treatments in paediatrics, both boys were understandably nervous about getting their blood taken. But their curiosity about what happens to their samples afterward led them to join the tour, and it became a great opportunity for them to learn more about the process.

During the visit, Reggie and Oscar learned all about what happens behind the scenes in the lab. They were fascinated by the large analysers, and enjoyed hands-on activities like mastering pipetting and creating fun colour reactions. One of the highlights was looking through the microscope at blood films, where they learned that platelets need to keep moving to avoid sticking together. They even played a game of “I Spy” around the lab, spotting all the different pieces of equipment used in testing.

 

 

Their Harvey ducks, who joined them on the tour, took a journey through the pod system and returned with lovely messages from the paediatrics team. 

Gayle, one of the lab team members, shared:

It was definitely an exciting tour with lots of fun. Both Reggie, Oscar, and their families learned how important it is to get their bloods taken. Hopefully, the tour will help them feel less anxious and allow them to continue their treatment with ease.

It was a memorable experience for everyone involved, turning lab work into a hands-on adventure!