Biomedical Science Day 2024 – IBMS Manchester Branch

On Thursday, 6th June 2024, healthcare laboratories across the UK and beyond came together to celebrate their workplaces, colleagues, and expertise, all to raise awareness of the crucial role they play in healthcare. Below, we will take a closer look at the activities organised by the IBMS Manchester Branch in celebration of Biomedical Science Day.

 

Biomedical Science Day Outreach Visits, University of Salford

To celebrate Biomedical Science Day 2024, staff from the University of Salford organised a number of events to inspire and inform young learners about the career opportunities available in biomedical science.

 

Connell Co-Op College 

Organisers

• Sara Alnasir Kassam, Undergraduate Biomedical Science student, University of Salford
• Ben McLachlan, Curriculum Lead and A-Level Biology Teacher, Connell Co-Op College

Outreach Team

• Sara Alnasir Kassam
• Sanaria Fathulla, Iqra Zulfiqar

Event Summary

This Biomedical Science Day, three undergraduate students from the University of Salford visited Connell Co-Op College to deliver a careers’ talk to around 15 students from Mr. McLachlan’s class. The talk was interactive, using the learning tool Mentimeter for activities that emphasised the role of biomedical science in healthcare. The event covered the following topics:

• Overview of Biomedical Science
• Life as a Biomedical Science Student
• Future career pathways with a Biomedical Science degree
• Importance of IBMS Accredited degrees and placement years for HCPC registration
• Student Interaction

The session concluded with a Q&A, where students asked about life at the University of Salford and careers in Biomedical Science. The event was engaging and informative, leaving students with a better understanding of the field.

 

Merchandise

IBMS-branded merchandise was distributed to the students as keepsakes, thanks to the efforts of Tahmina Hussain.

 

Publicity

The event was publicised on the IBMS Manchester Branch’s X and LinkedIn accounts, featuring pictures taken during the visit.

 

Testimonials

Sara Alnasir Kassam shared her thoughts:

"I loved conveying to the students the utter enjoyment of studying the Biomedical Science degree. It was a fantastic experience organising these events and then seeing them come to fruition is so rewarding. A huge thanks to academics Tahmina Hussain (also IBMS National Council Member) and Dr. Matthew Jones for having faith in me to pull this off and for all the encouragement they provided. I would like to thank Sanaria and Iqra, my fellow ambassadors; they provided fantastic insights throughout the talk and it provided a fabulous boost to the talk. Thanks to Ben McLachlan, from Connell Co-Op College, for allowing us to talk to his students and for his willingness for us to hold this event to celebrate Biomedical Science Day 2024. I can’t wait for next year’s Biomedical Science Day!"

Sanaria Fathulla commented:
"I had a great time being able to educate and highlight the diversity of doing a biomedical science degree and the career paths. It was a great opportunity for me network and help students with their future careers prospects."

Iqra Zulfiqar added:
"I really enjoyed taking part in the event. It was a major breakthrough for my career and academic life, boosting my confidence. I went from feeling nervous about public speaking to confidently sharing Biomedical Science with younger people."

 

Holy Cross College

Organisers

• Sara Alnasir Kassam, Undergraduate Biomedical Science student, University of Salford
• Dr Matthew Jones, Lecturer in Physiology
• Tahmina Hussain, Lecturer in Biomedical Science

 

Guests and Attendees

• Waqas Hussain, Biomedical Scientist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
• Bethan Samphire-Noden, Biomedical Science Technician, University of Salford
• Subhabrata Dey, Masters Student, University of Salford
• 82 AS Level students from Holy Cross College and University Centre

 

Event Summary

In an effort to spark interest in biomedical science among young students, the University of Salford organised an engaging event at Holy Cross College & University Centre in Bury, Greater Manchester.

The day began with a series of talks, highlighting the crucial role biomedical scientists play in healthcare. Dr. Matthew Jones opened the session by discussing the contributions of biomedical scientists to patient care, emphasising their importance within the healthcare system. Following this, Waqas Hussain, a practicing Biomedical Scientist from the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, shared his daily experiences in the field. He highlighted various equipment and tests used in biochemistry, providing students with a real-world perspective on the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges faced by biomedical scientists.

To bring the subject to life, the team also conducted a series of practical activities covering key biomedical science disciplines, including Haematology & Transfusion, Microbiology, and Histology. These activities allowed the 82 participating AS Level students to engage directly with the material, offering a hands-on understanding of the scientific principles and techniques used in these areas.

Feedback and Future Plans

The event was a resounding success, recieving high praise from both staff and students at Holy Cross College & University Centre. Impressed by the quality and impact of the event, staff members have extended an invitation to the University of Salford team to participate in an upcoming careers event and to return next year for a repeat performance.

The student feedback was overwhelmingly favourable, with 98.4% of participants reporting a positive experience, and 96.8% finding the activities both fun and interesting. Additionally, 98.4% of the students felt that the event significantly increased their knowledge of biomedical science, while 93.7% gained a deeper understanding of its application in real-world environments.

 

Testimonials

Dr Matthew Jones commented:

“This event served as a great opportunity to highlight the vital work done by Biomedical Scientists in supporting patient diagnosis and ensure patient care. Increasing awareness of Biomedical Science within schools and colleges helps to promote the discipline and showcase what Biomedical Scientists do on a day-to-day basis, hopefully increasing interest in pursuing an IBMS accredited Biomedical Science degree programme and career option upon completion of their level 3 qualifications.”

One student that participated in the event said: 

"Salford University gave an outstanding event which has inspired my career choice, and I will be looking for Biomedical Science degrees when I get home”.

 

NHSBT Lab Tour

Organisers

• Tahmina Hussain, Programme Lead for Applied Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship and Lecturer in Biomedical Science
• Manisha Patel, Scientific Consultant, NHSBT

 

Guests and Attendees

The event was attended undergraduate biomedical science students and apprentices.

 

Event Summary

To celebrate Biomedical Science day 2024, the NHS Blood and Transplant centre in Manchester opened their doors to biomedical science students and apprentices from The University of Salford. The tour included an in depth look at the various laboratory processes involved in blood and organ donation, manufacturing, testing, and transplantation.

The tour highlighted the importance of biomedical science in saving lives and the critical role biomedical scientists play #AtTheHeartOfHealthcare and in improving patient outcomes.

 

Testimonials

Lloyd Mcleggon-Watkinson shared his thoughts on the tour:

"My current work in Immunology doesn’t expose me to all of the disciplines within healthcare science, so I snapped the opportunity to view the NHSBT laboratory when it became available. And it was, coincidently, on Biomedical Science Day... What I have seen is a highly organised and complex service where laboratory staff, including biomedical scientists, can create products that contribute to maintaining the quality of like for patients with haemoglobinopathies (e.g., thalassaemia, sickle cell) or life saving intervention in the event of a haemorrhage. The tour introduced me to another specialism and gave me valuable insight into the blood donation and transfusion process."

 

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

At The Atrium, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, staff from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust gathered together to spread awareness about biomedical science.

 

Participating Departments

• Bacteriology
• Virology
• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Cellular Pathology
• Haematology & Transfusion

 

Event Highlights

The event featured interactive stands representing various biomedical science disciplines, offering activities such as:

• Urinalysis
• Centrifugation
• Microscopy
• Micro-pipetting
• Culturing samples on agar plates

 

Engagement

Children enjoyed dressing up as lab staff, while parents learned about the critical role of biomedical science in healthcare. QR codes on flyers provided further information for those interested in learning more about the field.

Feedback

Ismael Ali:
"Children were excited to put on the lab coats and play at being proud lab staff whilst their parents watched."

Emily O’Callaghan:
"I was impressed with the manual dexterity of the children using the Gilson pipettes. True scientists in the making."

The event successfully reached out to future scientists and their families, with everyone leaving with a small prize from the tombola. The staff across various sites were appreciated for their hard work throughout the year, with the event concluding with a pizza prize draw competition.

Outreach events like those organised by the University of Salford and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust are crucial in inspiring the next generation of biomedical scientists. By providing young people with a clearer insight into the field, this sets a promising precedent for future collaborations between educational institutions and the scientific community.