Speakers
Point-Of-Care Testing
Dr Martin Myers is a Consultant Healthcare Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Laboratory Director for Clinical Biochemistry. Dr Myers is also the Lead Scientist for the Trust and Chairs the Trust Point of Care Committee. Whilst at Preston Dr Myers has undertaken a continuous program of pathology redesign, improving the clinical and operational effectiveness and productivity of pathology. During this time he was the Associate Divisional Medical Director of Pathology for 4 years and Clinical Director of Pathology for 14 years.
Dr Myers is currently the Senior Clinical Advisor for the NHS Pathology Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme, which has undertaken a 3 year evidenced-based review of Pathology services in England in order to improve quality and reduce unwarranted variation. The National report was launched in 2022 and the GIRFT Clinical Team is now working on implementing the recommendations. Dr Myers is also the RCPath Representative on the MHRA Device Expert Advisory Committee (DEAC) and Chair of the MHRA IVD Expert Advisory Group.
His interests include the use of automation, point of care testing and informatics in improving the quality of the diagnostic process, and redesigning a pathology delivery that is patient-focussed. He introduced the “Laboratory Anywhere” concept to ensure that diagnostics are delivered in a variety of locations both inside and outside the hospital ensuring that diagnostics are embedded in the patient pathway, rather than remote from the patient.
As part of the COVID-19 response, Dr Myers sat on several regional and national groups for SARS-CoV-2 testing and advised NHS Supplies on gas analyser placement in the Acute and Nightingale sectors. He introduced many laboratory based tests to improve diagnostic support for patients with COVID-19 as well as 24/7 Rapid SARS-CoV-2 testing for patient being admitted and, as part of the recovery pathway, for different patient pathways such as Endoscopy, Day of Surgery etc. This model has now been expanded for Rapid multiplex GI and respiratory pathogens. He is currently working on rapid Lab in a Bag diagnostics as part of the mobile SDEC service.
Using the Laboratory Anywhere concept and the use of Lab in a Box Diagnostics, Dr Myers has taken diagnostics directly to the BAME communities and vulnerable groups in the community. He is a Trustee of the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing charity where his “Blood Drop” team of Healthcare Scientists set up pop-up diagnostic clinics in the community as part of a “Health Mela”.