Activity fund round-up for 2021

With some COVID-19 restrictions still in place, members got creative and held a blend of in-person and online events up and down the country!

This year was our most diverse yet. From interactive events with patients to online webinars and workshops in schools – members pulled out all the stops to raise public awareness of biomedical science and demonstrate the value of the profession and its role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections and disease. 

The IBMS activity fund provided grants of up to £500 for members to develop their biomedical science-related activities and events.

The grants were able to be used to support a wide range of activities and resources, including experiments, exhibition space at careers events, marketing and communications materials, incentives and giveaways. 

'Guardians of your health', Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

 

Manchester Univerisity NHS Foundation Trust invited patients attending appointments to 'spin the wheel' 

The Diagnostic Cytopathology biomedical science team held the 'Guardians of your health' to celebrate Biomedical Science Day and raise awareness of the work done at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The day involved a nationwide webinar organised in partnership with Health Education England (HEE) and several teams from the field across the country attended. The event leads to a great network opportunity for the department working with HEE to develop a training programme for aspiring biomedical scientists to join the department.

The trust invited patients attending appointments to play 'spin the wheel'. The game involved spinning a wheel and answering straightforward multiple-choice questions related to biomedical science for a chance to win a prize.

Katharine Hayden FRCPath commented: "Thank you all for a fabulous day – so great to see how many people you managed to engage in the event. All down to all of your hard work, well done!"

Zara Pain HR Director said: "Absolutely amazing and enjoying coffee from the mug I won!"

Another attendee commented: "It was a fantastic interactive method of raising awareness of the work we do and change the perception that patients have that Biomedical Scientists only stay in the laboratory. It also provided the opportunity for the public to learn what is a biomedical scientist."

  

Biomedical Science Promotional Video, Jersey

Victoria Atherton and the team at the Jersey General Hospital, with the help of the government of Jersey, used the funding to produce a video to help promote the profession:

Divine Azange, St Germans Academy School

Pupils at St Germans Academy became 'scientists for the day' with Divine Azange 

Divine Azange used his funds to purchase science kits to hold a 'be a biomedical scientist for a day' event for year four school pupils.

Eighteen pupils received a science kit which included a lab coat, pH meter and Petri dishes.

Each pupil ran experiments of magnetic cereal and urinalysis testing - they also conducted the UV glow germ experiment, which looked at hand washing. This was particularly exciting for the pupils and highlighted the importance of handwashing to curb the spread of COVID-19. They finished by looking at the 'SuperLab' at the heart of the healthcare comic.

Pupils then picked a favourite Superlab hero character and had to guess which superhero Divine was. The pupils did a blood grouping picture panel recognition to finish the day with the winners keeping the UV touch used in the glow germ experiment.

Divine is passionate about inspiring the next generation and believes Year 4 was a great year to highlight the importance biomedical science plays in the patient pathway.

Divine told the IBMS:

"It was more about raising curiosity and inspiring minds. The attendees enjoyed being dressed in a lab coat and having a go at doing their own experiments. The importance of iron in cereal was particularly useful and the pupils found the colour change of urinalysis and pH paper exciting!"

 

Great British Bake Off, Histology, Royal Wolverhampton Wolverhampton NHS trust

Royal Wolverhampton held a Biomedical bake-off competition - yum!

Ready, Set, Bake!

The Histology department at Wolverhampton Histology swapped 

Pipettes for whisks as event lead Amy Bednall organised a laboratory bake-off competition! 

Wolverhampton Histology Great Biomedical Bake Off was held in the department to promote the IBMS and to set people a challenge of maybe doing something outside their comfort zone, giving them a chance to be creative. The trust intended to show the great work of the department as it reconfigures its services and raise awareness of the profession.

Everyone in the histology department was invited to join in, including all biomedical scientists, laboratory assistants and pathologists.

Attendee Megan Evans commented:

"I took part because I love to be creative and it's great to feel part of something fun. It is so good for team morale, plus everyone loves a bit of cake afterwards!!!!!"

 

Biomedical Science Day celebrations, Belfast

 

Winners of our 'Best artistic science photo competition Belfast trust celebrated the day in style!

The activity funds enabled the laboratory staff across Belfast Trust Laboratories to celebrate in style as they enjoyed a day of science-themed events and activities!

The trust scaled-back celebrations due to the pandemic. However, the team decorated the laboratory for the day and food was supplied in all staff areas as celebrations continued virtually through internal and external trust communication channels.

Activities included:

• A virtual Reality tour video of the cellular pathology laboratory
• A video tour of the histopathology laboratory and the regional virology laboratory
• Artistic photos of teams and staff working in various roles within Belfast Trust Laboratories, including some TikTok videos
• Announcing our Winner for Spirit of Biomedical Science Day 2021
• Infographics, posters and short articles showcasing the work undertaken across the laboratories daily, yearly and in a lifetime!

Attendees commented: 

"Love this 360-degree pathology laboratory tour."

"It is so interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes by people who work very hard on our behalf. Thank you for all you do."

 

Impact and Best Practice for Science in Kidney Care, The Renal Patient Support Group (RPSG)

 

Students at the RPSG presented their research proposals in a special seminar

Students in the RPSG group at Coventry University took part in a seminar highlighting the biomedical research they intend to perform for their dissertation projects. Twelve students presented their proposals with intriguing projects from across the centre's specialism in kidney disease.

The RSPG told the IBMS:

"In relating current research, focus for chronic kidney disease patients, and Biomedical Science Day (2021), the RPSG had several openings for undergraduate and postgraduate candidates to develop renal research as part early professional development." 

 

A special guest joins the festivities at St Thomas Hospital, London 

Staff at St. Thomas Hospital in London enjoyed a pizza and cupcake party!

At St Thomas, London, the department of infection sciences celebrated the day both online and on-site. The staff decorated the laboratory decorated and attendees enjoyed pizza, cupcakes and drinks!

St Thomas Hosptial commented:

"Our events to raise awareness got to the ears of the chief medical officer at SynLab, Dr David James, who personally came to visit the labs and thanked us all for our hard work over the year".