Neo and James' Lab Tour
Neo and James' Lab Tour at Antrim Area Hospital
On June 18th, Neo and James, accompanied by their mum Sarah and older brother, embarked on an educational adventure at Antrim Area Hospital. This visit marked their first-ever Harvey’s Lab Tour, giving them a first-hand glimpse into the world of biomedical science.
The tour started in a meeting room where they were welcomed by Head of Transfusion Stephanie Hill, and Richard, Head of Education and Development. The boys were given their very own lab coats and lanyards with their name badges before setting off on the tour.
The session began with an introductory talk about the components of blood. The boys had the opportunity to create their own “blood” samples, using tomato ketchup for the red cells and coloured water for the plasma.
Then, the boys moved into the Biochemistry laboratory, where they watched the arrival of samples. Neo and James got to place their “blood samples” into a centrifuge, observing the separation of red cells and plasma. They explored the different analysers and learned how samples navigate through the lab for testing.
Next, they visited the Haematology and Blood Transfusion labs. Here, they observed the arrival process of samples, the necessary labelling, and the analysers used for processing. The boys were particularly fascinated by the making of blood films and examining cells under the microscope, with software projecting the magnified view onto a larger screen.
In the Blood Transfusion lab, they saw stored blood ready for patient use, comparing it to their ketchup and coloured water samples. The tour concluded back in the meeting room with snacks, goody bags, and a special Harvey’s Lab Tour teddy bear for each boy.
The tour helped the boys and their mother understand the role of biomedical science in diagnosing and managing illnesses. It showed them the lab's work in processing samples and that several departments collaborate to provide results for treatment. They could relate the lab tests to those the boys have regularly and see how their conditions are measured.
We asked Stephanie what she believed was the most important takeaway for families participating in Harvey’s Lab Tours. She shared:
"Not everyone realises that the laboratory staff work 24/7, 365 days a year. I think it shows that Biomedical Scientists are part of the process for their treatment decisions. We made sure to answer all their questions, and I hope this experience helps families understand why samples are needed and relieves some of their anxieties."
We asked Neo and James’ mum, Sarah, how the staff interacted with the children, and if there were any memorable interactions. She said:
"Each member of staff stopped to acknowledge both boys throughout every stage of the tour. From the second we entered the door and until the moment we left. Antrim laboratory really has a fantastic and friendly team."
Sarah also outlined what she appreciated most about the tour, and how the experience helped both her and her boys understand the work done in hospital laboratories:
“I think this is truly a super experience for any child. Both James and Neo have complex needs, and Neo, in particular, is quite anxious about having blood samples taken. I hope that being part of this experience and creating his own visual story within a lab will help him understand the process better. The two ladies who guided them through the first part of the tour explained why testing his blood is so important—it helps ensure he gets the right treatment."
"The tour was incredible. It was such a great experience for James and Neo, but also for my older son and I who accompanied them. It really is such a fantastic opportunity to help children with medical needs and their families understand a little bit more. I would most certainly highly recommend this tour to other families. It was a great experience and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so very much.”