Scientists lead response to HbA1c errors

Following recent BBC reports that at least 55,000 patients require repeat HbA1c tests, the vital role of biomedical scientists in safeguarding diagnostic services has been brought into sharp focus. While NHS England has confirmed fewer than 10% of laboratories were affected and the clinical risk remains low, the incident highlights the profession’s importance in mitigating the impact of equipment failure.

This situation underscores that rigorous quality protocols - managed and monitored by skilled biomedical scientists - are the primary line of defence. Daily internal quality control, participation in external quality assessment (EQA) schemes, and continuous performance monitoring are the expert-led processes that allow for the rapid identification of anomalies long before they become systemic issues.

In response to faults, our members act decisively: removing suspect systems from service, tracing affected patient samples, and coordinating with clinical colleagues to prioritise re-testing. These actions, documented within robust quality management systems (ISO 15189), ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of diagnostic services during a recall.

This large-scale event proves the indispensable value of skilled laboratory professionals over automated systems alone. It demonstrates the need for continued investment in scientific expertise and protected time for quality investigation. The IBMS will continue to support its members and share key learnings from this incident to ensure the UK's diagnostic infrastructure is further strengthened.