Celebrating our Welsh members working in pathology

Held at a different location in Wales in the first week of August every year, the National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe and celebrates the culture and language of Wales. The Eisteddfod attracts 150,000 annual visitors over the week with many events and activities for the whole family. 

Although Wales may be well known as the Land of Song, the contribution of Welsh researchers to the scientific world is equally remarkable, and is becoming a growing part of the Eisteddfod. 

This year, the Betsi Cadwaladar University Health Board (BCUHB) took the lead in hosting a stall in the Science and Technology village at the Eisteddfod.

Co-organised by Dr Victoria Bradley (IBMS Council member from Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Luke Hughes (Head of Education at the BCUHB), the stall was set up to recognise the work undertaken by biomedical and other healthcare scientists – including those working in pathology. 

Dr Bradley adds:

“We were fortunate to have support from IBMS members across Wales to prepare for this event. We plan to attend every year now going forward, including the Urdd Eisteddfod, which is aimed specifically at younger children.”

Through this stall, colleagues across the BCUHB, RCPath members, and IBMS Wales Region members helped to raise awareness of the work done by pathology laboratories and of the role of biomedical science in healthcare.  

Visitors took the opportunity to ask questions about the field, how samples are processed in laboratories, and the breadth of analysis that biomedical scientists can undertake. Many were particularly fascinated to find out how important laboratory test results are to any diagnostic process and to the provision of personalised medicine.

Our members were additionally able to discuss careers with school students across varying age groups. With A-level students, members highlighted the importance of IBMS Accredited biomedical science degrees and explained apprenticeship opportunities available in pathology as well. For younger children, members were able to utilise the new Welsh language version of our Superlab comics to engage children in science-related conversations.

Luke Hughes comments:

“In total a combination of 11 of our scientific team covered the week. 

We were able to undertake a range of STEM based activities with children visiting our stall to encourage an interest in medical science, with personalized DNA based bracelets being immensely popular – we needed to re-stock on supplies not even halfway through the week.

In addition to providing staff benefits like CPD, activities such as the Eisteddfod are an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships and confidence with our colleagues, patients and the wider public. 

We, as pathologists, are a part of the healthcare system that is often hidden away from the public. As such, increasing awareness of the challenges we face as a service, and the wide range of career opportunities we have to offer within pathology, is a vital part of continuing to develop and safeguard our services in the future.”  

You can read the Welsh language version of this news story here >>

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