RECENT NEWS

When the first National Pathology Week (NPW) was planned in 2008 the aim was to hold 40 events across the UK. By the end for the week over 320 had been held, and pathologists the world over had caught the public engagement bug. A favourite comment of Dr Suzy Lishman (pictured) from an early participant was that NPW had rekindled their passion for pathology and improved morale in their department – two rather unexpected side-effects. Since then, thousands of events have been held for schools, the public and healthcare professionals, and NPW is firmly established as an annual event.

Lab Innovations, the UK’s only trade show dedicated to the laboratory industry, beat all records for the show, attracting 3113 attendees – a 10% increase on the previous year. Underlying the headline number were significant increases in visitors involved in purchasing products and services. Overall, 79% of visitors were involved in the purchasing decision, with a 43% increase in laboratory managers, a 53% increase in laboratory technicians, and an impressive 125% increase in procurement managers. In addition, the number of scientists attending increased by 49%. This dynamism was clear from the buzz of activity on the floor, with the statistics highlighting the enormous contribution that Lab Innovations makes to the business of laboratory science.

Scientists have equipped a virus that kills carcinoma cells with a protein so it can also target and kill adjacent cells that are tricked into shielding the cancer from the immune system. It is the first time that cancer-associated fibroblasts within solid tumours – healthy cells that are tricked into protecting the cancer from the immune system and supplying it with growth factors and nutrients – have been specifically targeted in this way.

The International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) is a not-for-profit organisation made up of international member associations that represent biomedical laboratory scientists across the world, and has a direct input into the World Health Organization (WHO) development of policy and standards.

A new state-of-the-art laboratory system for the Black Country Pathology Service (BCPS) has been announced. It is hoped the new laboratory information management system (LIMS) will reduce clinical risk and provide more complete patient history across primary and secondary care. The new system will enable pathology services across the multiple hospital sites to work together more collaboratively than previously This will result in an enhanced service for clinicians and offers patients a centre of excellence providing all aspects of a quality pathology service.

The December issue of Pathology in Practice will see publication of the second article in Stephen MacDonald’s new series on internal quality control. This will be the first of two parts covering the requirements of a quality control system, with a focus in December on the material used to control the system.

The haemostasis laboratories at the Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles hospitals are already benefiting from Stago’s STA R Max 2 analysers. Four systems have been installed (two in each hospital) and are expected to be fully operational this month.

Royal Philips has been leading two healthcare innovation projects that will receive government investment as part of major cross-sector collaborations. A joint multimillion-pound investment by government and industry partners, this initiative will fully digitise a number of NHS pathology laboratories, expanding access to innovative digital pathology services in the UK.

Researchers have been using neutrons to explore the complex outer surfaces of Escherichia coli, and they have revealed in the process, with great precision and detail, how such bacteria interact with their surroundings. Understanding these interactions is crucial, as E. coli infections can lead to fatal sepsis if untreated.

Horiba UK Medical has announced the first global installation of its new HELO high-throughput fully automated haematology platform in Torbay Hospital, where the laboratory has achieved UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation. Additionally, the ease of use, fast processing and operational efficiency delivered by the company’s new track-based haematology system has enabled routine haematology work to be smoothed and cut by an hour at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT).

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds have announced a critical milestone in going digital, by scanning every glass slide they produce. The milestone represents a major step towards achieving faster and accurate diagnosis for cancer patients in the future. The pathology department, located in St James’ Hospital in Leeds, is one of the largest in the UK, processing over 1000 pathology slides a day, and is now digitally scanning every slide thanks to its partnership with Leica Biosystems.

At MEDICA 2018, EKF Diagnostics will be launching its new Lactate Scout 4 handheld lactate analyser for fast and accurate sports performance monitoring. Lactate Scout 4 is designed for use in the field as a training companion for individuals or sports teams, and will be demonstrated to delegates attending the co-located MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS conference.

In 2014 and 2017, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) evaluated the quality of 16 antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) discs from nine manufacturers against EUCAST targets and ranges for relevant quality control strains. The 16 AST discs were selected to represent different antibiotic classes and to include screening discs for important resistance mechanisms.

Jane Chiodini has taken up the post of Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the first woman and the first nurse to hold this position. Mrs Chiodini (pictured with her predecessor as Dean, Group Captain Andrew D Green) was elected to the post by Fellows and Members of the Faculty, and took office at the Faculty's Annual General Meeting early in October.

Horiba UK Medical has announced the first global installation of its new HELO high-throughput, fully automated haematology platform in Torbay Hospital, where the laboratory has achieved UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation. Additionally, the ease of use, fast processing and operational efficiency delivered by the new track-based haematology system has enabled routine haematology work to be smoothed and cut by an hour at the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT).

Synbiosis has announced that its ProtoCOL 3 automated colony counter is being used at a major teaching hospital in London to track the spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB).

The year 2018 represents an important milestone in the history of biomedical sciences education. It is the 40th anniversary of the first UK graduates emerging from honours degree programmes with a primary focus on biomedical sciences – then known as ‘medical laboratory science’. It is also the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS), the body which represents the biomedical sciences academic and research community.

Following the recent publication of his successful articles on measurement uncertainty, Stephen MacDonald returns in the October issue of Pathology in Practice with the first in a new series looking at internal quality control in laboratory medicine.

Following on from a very successful Annual Scientific Meeting held in May, the British Society for Microbial Technology (BSMT) will hold its Autumn Symposium at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, next month (Friday 19 October). The Going Overboard with Microbiology – Women and Children First scientific programme will be supported by an exhibition comprising 17 commercial sponsors.

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has launched a consultation on proposals to increase the registration fees it charges. In the consultation, it proposes to increase the renewal fee from £90 to £106 per year, with a similar level of increases to the other fees the HCPC charges.