IBMS Manchester Branch: Congress 2023
Trusts across the network were able to send staff to attend and enjoy informative lecture sessions, browse stands, do some networking and attend the varied social activities.
IBMS Fellow and Quality Manager, Ben Kirman, said, “ Information and knowledge gained from the talks will allow us to implement the new standard with a particular focus on risk management and patient safety.”
IBMS members Lisa Gorse, point of care testing practitioner in biochemistry, and Gemma Bound, a biomedical scientist working in virology, both found the Point of Care Testing talks very interesting.
Lisa commented, "there are several benefits of POCT. It is much cheaper and leads to decreased risk of hospital acquired infections, to name a few". Adding to this, Gemma said, "The struggles they faced trying to make POCT testing available to everyone including the homeless (WHO aiming to eliminate Viral Hepatitis by 2023) by setting up testing in Hotels, Prisons, Hostels etc was remarkable."
Council members, Zonya and Tahmina, along with Branch Chair Michelle did not disappoint in supporting the running of Congress.
Zonya judged posters in the Education and Management category.
“The posters were impressive and to a high standard. I would encourage anybody to produce and submit a poster to the next Congress," she said.
As well as being part of the welcome group for the Jen Johnson bursary winners, Zonya fitted in time to chair some exciting meetings on returning to work and the new registration portfolio format.
Michelle’s morphology quiz was especially popular this time around. The haematology morphology quiz is aimed at all skill levels, set up to both entertain and make participants think and talk about the field. The quiz is still active and available for those interested, requiring you to put in an email address to get instant feedback: IBMS MORPHOLOGY QUIZ >>
Michelle also delivered a talk on the UKNEQAS(H) digital morphology CPD scheme, looking at the common types of errors when reporting morphology and how morphology skills can be improved. We are always keen to hear about morphology training and reporting in other labs.
Her lifetime membership award demonstrates Michelle's continual dedication and commitment to the profession. Through her work with Lab Tests Online-UK, Michelle is helping to provide a great training resource for those learning about laboratory tests .
Tahmina presented two talks based on the theme for this year’s IBMS Congress, “Linking learning to the Laboratory”. The first of two talks featured in the Education and Training Programme, where Tahmina presented her research focusing on ‘Simulation based learning to enhance employability’. This was recently published in the British Journal of Biomedical Science in the special issue ‘Education and Training in Biomedical Science’. The impact of this research has improved student placement interview outcomes and placement provider satisfaction, feeding into larger pathology workforce projects in collaboration with professional bodies and the practice educator network.
The second of the two talks aimed at students and academics, focused on the ‘Portfolio club’ launched by Tahmina for students aspiring to become HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists.
Introducing the trial of a portfolio club has permitted students to begin collecting evidence towards their registration training portfolio, enabling all participants to secure an IBMS placement in Pathology laboratories at local NHS Trusts. The IBMS plans to share this as best practice and roll this out nationally.
Four Level 5 students who participated in this club joined Tahmina to talk about how developing their skills and experience through the club has helped them to secure placements in a Pathology laboratory.
Tahmina stated, “It was a fantastic opportunity to have the students join me at the IBMS Congress and share their experiences with others, while encouraging them to grab opportunities where they can to develop their employability skills.”
Congratulations to Adaobi Chukwudolue, Yamen Toumeh, Saira Iqbal and Heba Toumeh for representing the University of Salford and presenting to a large audience. The University also supported 50 Biomedical Science students to attend this event, alongside academics Dr Sara Namvar and Rumana Rafiq.
Heba added, "This was unforgettable first-time experience at the IBMS Congress. Presenting a talk at this event was a day to remember, huge thanks to University of Salford and Tahmina for their incredible support in getting me here”. Yamen said, "Standing there for my first time being at IBMS Congress and co-presenting with my peers and lecturer was absolutely amazing, I am so proud of this opportunity. Together we achieve and together we succeed”.