Teddy's Lab Tour st Royal Sussex County Hospital

On 23rd July, Teddy and his dad, Alistair, visited the laboratory for a Harvey’s Lab Tour organised by Anne and Steph from the Blood Sciences team.

Teddy is an oncology patient receiving care at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (the Alex) in Brighton. The purpose of his tour was to give him an opportunity to see for himself what happens to his samples after they leave the lab.

Introducing microbiology to the tour

Steph introduced him to the analysers and showed him how blood films are made and stained, before Teddy got to see his own blood film under the microscope and on screen.

His recall quickly impressed the team.

As they looked at the different cells, Teddy noticed that one of the cells he could see wasn't included on the morphology chart he had been given.

The team joked that they'll need to have the advanced morphology chart ready for their next visitor!

Teddy also visited the blood fridges to see where blood and platelets are stored. He was fascinated by a bag of platelets and learning why they are continually agitated to prevent them from aggregating.

Introducing microbiology to the tour

Back at their activity base, Teddy and Alistair looked at sticker books and learnt more about microbiology testing.

But the learning didn't stop when Teddy went home. Steph had drawn a smiley face onto an agar plate during the visit and, after bacteria grew overnight, the team sent a photograph of the result to Teddy's oncology nurse, Sarah, to share with the family.

At the end of the tour, Teddy was given his certificate and headed home with his lab coat, ID badge, goodie bag and a Harvey teddy bear to remember his day in the laboratory.

Judging by the conversation at home afterwards, there was plenty to remember.

Teddy's mum said:

Teddy was full of chat about the tour yesterday evening. He was telling me all about the lab, the tubes that come in and go out from different buildings, the machines, and the cells in his blood.

I would 100% recommend this for other families on daycare!

A special connection to Harvey

The visit also held special significance for Teddy's oncology nurse, Sarah, who helped make the tour possible.

Earlier in her career, Sarah worked at The Royal Marsden Hospital and was part of the team that cared for Harvey Buster Baldwin during his treatment. For Sarah, being involved in Teddy's tour brought things full circle.

Reflecting on Harvey's legacy and what lab tours can offer young patients, Sarah said:

It's a real testament to Harvey's initial vision, to the Baldwin family for having the willpower to see it through when things got really tough for them, and to the professionals who have carried it since.

Lab tours are fun and something truly for the patients to be involved in and benefit from; it demystifies that aspect of their treatment and makes them feel part of it. Having an understanding gives them an element of control when so much of their experience is out of their control. It is unique to everyone.

Sarah also recognised the work of the laboratory team through the Trust's Everyday Star award scheme.

Thank you so much to Anne, Steph and all the team in Pathology who made Harvey's Lab Tour such an enjoyable, interactive and memorable experience for a young paediatric oncology patient. Their time, diligence in planning and inclusivity was outstanding and really appreciated by all involved, thank you.

Ready to welcome more young patients

The success of Teddy's visit was a team effort, with colleagues across the laboratory helping Anne and Steph prepare the experience.

Information shared by Teddy's mum ahead of the visit, along with support from his clinical team, meant the laboratory could adapt the tour to suit Teddy and his interests.

Having now hosted their first Harvey's Lab Tour, the Brighton team are already looking forward to welcoming more young patients into the laboratory.

Anne also thanked Gayle Johnstone at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for mentoring her through the process of setting up the tour.

For Teddy, the day gave him a chance to see the lab, meet the people working behind the scenes of his care and understand more abouy what happens to his samples.

For the laboratory team, his enthusiasm (and those tricky questions) made it a visit they won't forget.