ACBNews

The Association for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine | Issue 682 | April 2023

In this issue

Happy 70th
Anniversary!
UKMedLab23
information
The Leeds
training
experience
H5N1
Avian flu
HCPC
consultation
on fees
outcome
NHS pay
offer

The Royal Armouries in Leeds . . .

home of UKMedLab23
ACBNews
The bi-monthly magazine for clinical science
Issue 682 • April 2023

Message from the President page 4

CEO Update page 6

General News page 8

UKMedLab23 page 21

Deacon’s Challenge Revisited page 31

Microbiology News page 32

Federation News page 36

Trainees News page 38

Meeting Reports page 40

BIVDA News page 44

ACB News Crossword page 46

Honorary Officers Nomination Form page 47

ISSN 2754-0863
© Association for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine 2023

Front cover: The Royal Armouries, Leeds, venue of UKMedLab23

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

4 | Message from the President

Message from the President

Another Spring, another financial year,
another set of challenges.
The increasing advance of Direct-to-
Consumer Testing (DTCT) provided by
commercial outlets and the expanding
array of test-at-home products available
in supermarkets raises huge concerns
around regulation, appropriateness,
interpretation and quality. We have held
discussions about DTCT with both IBMS
and RCPath and will soon look to engage
with colleagues from GIRFT to further
understand the issue, raise concerns and
suggest potential solutions. DTCT is here
to stay, but we need to ensure this source
of diagnostic testing is provided safely,
is appropriate, is understood and has
healthcare pathways available to deal with parts of the UK and the RoI. Registration is
any subsequent action needed. open now – book your ticket on the ACB
Similarly, NHS England has begun rolling website.
out direct access to results for patients via Finally, many members will also be
GP portals and NHS linked apps. The lack fellows of the RCPath. There are many
of standardisation of test nomenclature, opportunities coming up for College posts
units, ranges and cut-offs and format will such as President, Vice-President, other
only confuse patients. In addition, the lack Honorary Officers, SAC chairs, exam leads
of appropriate interpretative advice will and members of various committees.
also increase patient uncertainty and It is vital that individuals from all of our
anxiety. I recently convened some disciplines are represented, so please
meetings with IBMS and RCPath leadership consider stepping forward or, indeed,
on this topic and we have formulated a make sure your vote counts in any
joint statement. We fully understand associated elections.
member concerns regarding patients’ Hope you all get some much-needed
direct access to medical records, including time out during the upcoming Spring
laboratory test results. While providing breaks.
patients with access to their own health Bernie Croal, ACB President

u Baroness Masham
data can enable them to take an active
role in managing their own health, we will
The ACB acknowledges the passing of
be raising concerns at ministerial level. Baroness Masham on the 12 March 2023.
Preparation for UKMedLab23 in Leeds When she sat in the House of Lords
between 12-14 June 2023 continues to she was a great asset to the ACB and her
gain momentum. Come and celebrate the support helped achieve state registration
ACB’s 70th anniversary, network with for Clinical Biochemists / Scientists.
colleagues and experience an array of The ACB sends heartfelt condolences
scientific presentations sourced from all to her family at this time. n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

6 | CEO Update

CEO Update
In April, we’re kicking off the ACB 70th
Anniversary activities with a submissions
request for article ideas for the ACB News
70th Anniversary edition, to be released in
June. We’re really looking forward to
hearing from members old and new,
so we can pack this special edition with
memories and achievements over our
history, alongside hopes, aspirations and
predictions for the next 70 years!
In other news, we are working on a new
collaborative event at the IBMS Congress
in September 2023. The ACB Laboratory
Medicine Leadership Summit will comprise
a whole day’s content focussing on key
leadership and management issues.
We’ll be covering such topics as AI, be tabling a resolution regarding the
direct-to-consumer testing, informatics name change to The Association for
and environmental sustainability. Laboratory Medicine following 12 months
Watch out for announcements during of consultation with members. Details of
April/May on how to book your ticket how to attend or send your vote will be
for this event. emailed to voting members during May.
April also marks the time for our Finally, we’re delighted to welcome
annual member survey: we want to hear a new staff member to the team.
from you about how we’re doing and Tamsin Lawson joined us in February as
what your needs are for the future, Events Manager with responsibility for
as we continuously evolve and develop all ACB events. Alongside our flagship
the membership offer. We have introduced National Meeting, UKMedLab, Tamsin
many changes over the past couple of will be co-ordinating and supporting
years, not least a new membership offer the complete ACB events programme
that started in January this year and we including regional meetings, training
are very keen to hear your views. events, webinars and partnership events.
Watch out for an email containing the I am sure you will join me in welcoming
survey link in the next couple of weeks. her to the team.
Preparations are well underway for the Looking forward to seeing you in
AGM in Leeds on 14 June, where we will June. n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

8 | General News

Happy 70th
Anniversary, ACB!
Bernie Croal, ACB President
The ACB is 70 years old this year, having thus showcasing the innovation within our
been founded on 28 March 1953 at the profession.
inaugural meeting at the Hammersmith Looking forward, the Association aims to
Hospital in London which was attended by further cement its role as an important
75 members. Since then, there have been voice for laboratory medicine, while
huge advances in science, medicine and increasing collaboration with other learned
healthcare, with the role of laboratory societies in the UK and overseas. Providing
diagnostic tests expanding across a platform and opportunities for members
screening, diagnosis, monitoring and to work collaboratively is also a key
treatment. component of ACB membership – this will
Our membership has also expanded be especially important in the coming years
significantly over this time, partly due to as it helps meet the challenges of pandemic
the integration of several professions recovery, economic downturn, patient care
under one single Association. In 2007, backlogs and global warming.
the Association of Clinical Scientists in We are marking the ACB’s Platinum
Immunology merged with the ACB, Jubilee and celebrating our achievements
with the Association of Clinical in a number of ways. Firstly, look out for
Microbiologists following suit in 2010. the ACB News 70th anniversary edition in
Accordingly, at our 60th anniversary in June, which will spotlight members’
2013, the original Association for Clinical reflections on important milestones in
Biochemistry organisation name changed laboratory medicine and the challenges
to Association for Clinical Biochemistry and lying ahead. Secondly, UKMedLab23,
Laboratory Medicine to reflect the taking place in Leeds in June, will be an
expanding focus and specialties within our opportunity to celebrate our scientific
membership. community in person, both within the
In parallel, during this time, the ACB has programme content during the social
been continuously developing its journal, events. Last, but not least, our special
the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, edition 70th anniversary logo, which you
and, more recently, the patient-facing may have already spotted in our
website Lab Tests Online, which provides communications, is a visual memento
valuable information about laboratory informing members, other scientific
tests directly to patients. organisations and the public of our
Over the decades, the ACB has important milestone.
modernised, taking practical steps to Although we are celebrating 70 years of
promote and implement necessary changes excellence in laboratory medicine, it’s vital
across equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) we keep our eyes firmly on the future and
and environmental sustainability. More collectively strive to pursue even greater
recently, many ACB members fulfilled vital achievements and milestones as members,
frontline roles during the COVID-19 staff and other key stakeholders of the
pandemic around test development, ACB. I look forward to marking the occasion
infection control and vaccine development, together in the months to come. n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

10 | General News

Call out for Member contributions –

70th Anniversary ACB News edition
To celebrate the ACB’s 70th anniversary, u Research on pioneering scientists
the June 2023 edition of ACB News and healthcare leaders in the given
will be anniversary-themed. period (British or global) with
ACB News Lead Editor Gina Frederick is inclusivity in mind
inviting ACB Members to put themselves u How laboratory medicine training
forward to write articles for this special has changed in the given period
edition through this online submission (for example, on-the-job training
form before 9.00am Monday 17 April. versus organised training)
u A “tour” around a typical lab from
We are not looking for fully-written
articles at this stage. Rather, please
70 years ago
suggest an article idea that is in line with
the anniversary edition and give us some u A co-written article between a
details about how you’d approach it. Trainee and a soon-to-retire
We’re not looking for professional writers, Member working in the same lab
either – just a passion for the science, and how they navigate different
the profession and the ACB. approaches to the job.
We‘re keen on articles that provide If you feel there is another perspective
original reflections on one or more of that would help celebrate our 70th
the following themes: anniversary, please feel free to suggest
u Important advancements in laboratory
it in the form.
If your idea is accepted, you will be
medicine at any point in the last
invited to write a full article for the
70 years (these can be scientific,
June edition. Please note that, due to the
technological, inclusion-related,
anticipated volume of suggestions and the
organisational and more)
aim to achieve a balanced range of topics,
u Personal stories that reflect systematic we cannot guarantee that your suggestion
changes in laboratory medicine in the will lead to an invitation to write an
given period (for example, working article.
directly with someone who trained If you have any questions before or
in a different period, or participating in after submitting your idea, please
a game-changing project) email editor.acbnews@acb.org.uk
u What we have learned about We can’t wait to read through your
laboratory medicine’s role in tackling suggestions. n
climate change over the years

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

12 | General News

Nominations of Honorary Officers

In accordance with the provision of The nominations processes for our next
Articles 11 and 14 and the Association Chair of the Immunology Professional
Bye-Laws subsection 6.2, we give notice Committee and a National Member
that all Honorary Officers have so far will be launched this month and further
expressed their wish to remain in their information will be sent to members by
posts for the coming year, with the email.
exception of the Chair of the Immunology The nominations form can be found on
Professional Committee. page 47 of this issue. Completed forms
We also give notice that a National should be sent by email to
Member position will become available for mike@acb.org.uk in the first instance
appointment at the Annual General by the deadline of 2 May 2023. n
Meeting on 14 June 2023.

Notice of Annual General Meetings

The Annual General Meetings for the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory
Medicine and the Federation of Clinical Scientists will take place during UKMedLab23 at
the Royal Armouries Leeds from 1.30pm on Wednesday 14 June 2023.
A notice will be sent to all Members in advance, including the Annual Report, agenda,
minutes from previous AGMs and notice of special resolutions including the proposed
name change to the Association for Laboratory Medicine.
This is a very exciting time for the organisation and we look forward to discussing
our past, current and upcoming developments with our members. We hope to see you
there! n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

14 | General News

Abbott and ACB – a pioneering partnership

Jane Pritchard, ACB CEO
2022 marked the first full year of the Earlier in 2022, Abbott hosted an ACB
ACB’s strategic three-year partnership group and members of the GIRFT team at
with Abbott. their AXIS facility in Dundee to discuss
For the ACB, the partnership enables us advancements around Active B12 and
to enhance our activities and resources to clinical decision-making tools and, in
deliver more benefits for members and, November, it took a premium sponsor
for Abbott, it helps to build relationships status at UKMedLab22.
and show a commitment to support the A key part of the partnership has been
profession that is so critical to its the ACB’s role in promoting the UNIVANTS
diagnostics business. of Healthcare Excellence Awards, which
Abbott is a natural fit as a partner for celebrate multidisciplinary projects with
the ACB, as it’s a global leader in in vitro the lab at their heart. The 2021 edition
diagnostics with one of the broadest was a great success, with three UK teams
portfolios of businesses spanning nearly from Croydon, Coventry and Warwickshire
every segment – point-of-care, and Hampshire receiving awards and
immunoassay, clinical chemistry, global recognition of their work.
haematology, blood screening, molecular Plans for 2023 are already in place
and informatics. Its life-changing tests and and we are scheduling further webinars
diagnostic tools provide accurate, timely on ISO Accreditation, Net Zero and
information to better manage health. IVD Regulations, as well as, once again,
In terms of activities this past year, supporting the promotion of the
Abbott has supported a series of practical UNIVANTS of Healthcare Awards.
and informative webinar events covering Lisa Harrison, Marketing Director,
topics such as: Abbott says: “Partnership with the ACB
u The integrated care system and
gives us a unique opportunity to engage
and build relationships with the UK’s
laboratory medicine
foremost laboratory clinicians for internal
u The laboratory’s role in achieving the and external activities in advancement of
NHS Net Zero ambition our diagnostics business mission to help
u UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence achieve measurably better healthcare in
award-winning projects the UK. We look forward to building
u Proactive inclusion as an aid to find further on the partnership in 2023 and
talent (read more on pages 18-19) engaging with the scientific community
as a primary sponsor of UKMedLab23 in
Leeds”. n

Some ACB resources are member-only, so you may be asked to log in.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 General News | 15

International audit: laboratory practices

in monoclonal gammopathy testing
W Wassif, National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Lead
The ACB is conducting an international would be of use. Using knowledge
audit of laboratory practice for the gained from the results of these surveys,
provision of monoclonal gammopathy the Myeloma UK Early Diagnosis group
service in collaboration with Myeloma UK (laboratory subgroup) have developed a
and UK NEQAS. monoclonal gammopathy best practice
Multiple myeloma has one of the tool to help improve testing quality and
longest pathways from initial symptom reduce diagnostic delays.
presentation to diagnosis (163 days), This upcoming audit seeks to capture
with diagnostic delays occurring in existing laboratory practices in monoclonal
both primary and secondary care. gammopathy testing and benchmark
The laboratory remains central to the them against the recommendations
diagnostic pathway and is a key included in the monoclonal gammopathy
communication link between primary tool.
and secondary care. A survey of UK I encourage all laboratories to make
laboratories in 2017 identified significant every effort to complete this important
variation in the quality of testing, audit, which you will be shortly invited to
experience of staff and the reporting of via Survey Monkey. The audit will be
myeloma results within laboratories. distributed via ACB and UK NEQAS.
In a further survey in 2022, 99% of Only one reply per laboratory is required.
respondents reported that a laboratory The survey will take around 30-40 minutes
best practice recommendation for each to complete. Thank you in advance for
phase of monoclonal gammopathy testing your participation. n

Congratulations to three
of our ACB Members . . .
Elaine Cloutman-Green (Consultant Clinical Scientist
(Microbiology) at Great Ormond Street Hospital) has been
awarded an Honorary Professorship of the Department of Civil,
Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at UCL.
Katy Heaney (Consultant Biochemist at Berkshire and Surrey
Pathology Services) and Rob Shorten (Consultant Clinical Scientist,
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Dept of Microbiology)
have been awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Academy
for Healthcare Science.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

16 | General News

Meet Tamsin Lawson,

our new Events Manager
Tamsin joined us in February meeting as many members
2023. Coming from a healthcare as possible in Leeds in June.
background in sales, finance Tamsin will also be
and most recently events, working with the regional
she will be overseeing the representatives on local events
ACB’s overall events strategy. and helping with any other
Since starting with the ACB, ad hoc events too.
Tamsin has predominantly been She and her partner Paul
building the website to open live in Essex, with Tamsin’s two
bookings for UKMedLab23 daughters Chloe and Sasha,
and is looking forward to and dogs Buster and Millie. n

Publication deadlines
To guarantee publication, please submit your article by the 1st of the preceding month
(i.e. 1 May for June 2023 issue) to: editor.acbnews@acb.org.uk
We try to be as flexible as possible and will accept articles up to the 20th to be published
if space allows. Otherwise they will be held over to the next issue. If we are aware that
articles are imminent, this gives us more flexibility and we can reserve space in anticipation.
If in doubt, please contact Gina Frederick, Lead Editor, via the above e-mail. n

Sudoku
This month’s puzzle

Solution for
February

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 General News | 17

ACB Residential Course 2023

programme
Monday 17 July – Wednesday 19 July
Durham University, Palatine Centre Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE
You are invited to secure your place on the ACB Residential Training course, taking place
between 17-19 July at Durham University. Packed with exciting content including a
mock OSPE, method validation, an EQA workshop and Duty Biochemist scenarios,
the residential course also offers a social BBQ event at the Durham Amateur Boat Club
with a special guest speaker.
Residential tickets include accommodation for the two nights (ACB Members £300;
non-ACB members £450), but you can also purchase a non-residential ticket and find
your own accommodation (ACB Members £220; non-ACB members £370).
Book your Residential Training Course ticket here.
Day 1: Monday 17 July
12pm Arrival
12.30pm Toxicology (DGH scenarios, RCPath question examples, overdose, etc) –
Nigel Brown, Northumbria Healthcare Toxicology Service
2.30pm Method validation – what is required and how to perform it? –
Nigel Brown, Northumbria Healthcare Toxicology Service
3.30pm Break
4pm FRCPath: Mock OSPE – Tim Lang, County Durham and Darlington NHS
Foundation Trust
Day 2: Tuesday 18 July
9am Endocrine – Disorders of steroidogenesis – Chris Boot, Newcastle Hospitals
10am Investigation of Phaeochromocytoma – Barry Toole, Newcastle Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust
11am Break
11.30am Implementing a new service – Caroline Addison, Gateshead NHS Foundation
Trust
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm EQA workshop – Rachel Marrington, UK NEQAS
3.30pm Break
4pm Disaster management session – Hazel Borthwick and Laura Bernstone,
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Day 3: Wednesday 19 July
9am The Clinical Scientist and UKAS – Helen Verrill, North Tees Hospital
10am Duty Biochemist scenarios – Stewart Pattman and Roy Talbot, Northumbria
Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
11am Clinical Scientists and patient services – Shonagh Halsam and Rebecca Allcock,
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
12pm Departure n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

18 | General News

ACB and Abbott webinar: Proactive

inclusion as an aid to find talent
Webinar summary
The ACB partnered with Abbott to deliver England. While a staff survey pointed
an interactive webinar centering on toward a good workplace culture, the
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Trust recognised it could go further with
the context of healthcare recruitment. its efforts to create an inclusive and
This session was due to be facilitated diverse workforce. For instance, while 25%
by Mark Powell, Country Manager for of the population of Southampton is from
Point-of-Care at Abbott and senior an ethnic minority, the hospital’s bands 7
sponsor for the UK chapter of Abbott’s and above only have 10% representation
Ethnic Employee Network. However, from ethnic minority backgrounds. Action
due to unforeseen circumstances, was also being prompted by the
ACB Chief Executive Jane Pritchard acted correlation found between long-term
as webinar chair during this session. illness and ethnicity during the COVID-19
pandemic. The fact that staff were asked
We heard insights from the following
to declare disability and illness during that
panel of speakers:
time added to an improved understanding
u Dilini Peiris, Senior Clinical Scientist, of diversity data. Thus, a landmark
Clinical Biochemistry, University initiative was created – the Inclusive
Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Leaders programme – as a platform for
Trust and ACB EDI Champion reciprocal mentorship between hospital
u Joe Teape, COO, University Hospital staff members of different experience
Southampton NHS Foundation Trust levels. Webinar speakers Joe Teape and
u Rachel Wilmot, ACB EDI Champion, Dilini Peiris were reciprocal mentors
Consultant Clinical Biochemist (retired), on the programme and reported a
Hull positive experience, with examples
u Jane Pritchard, ACB Chief Executive including shifts in mindset and leadership
tactics.
Discussion summary Dilini Peiris also spoke about the sense
University Hospital Southampton is a large of personal responsibility to create a
teaching hospital on the South coast of change – such as learning from growing

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 General News | 19

movements including Black Lives Matter. members identify as a minority ethnicity

One of the changes she has made and 73% of Council members are women.
personally was not using the acronym Our EDI changes also span equal
BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) representation across event speakers,
as it suggests an us and them, and pulls using blind assessments for awards and
together people with differing grants, using social enterprises as suppliers
characteristics. Dilini emphasised the where possible and generally embedding
benefits of giving a real voice to staff these concepts into every area of our
members if you want to really address activity.
issues pertaining to diversity. As well
as this, she believes we should Question: How will you continue
“say something when something doesn’t to measure success and have the
look right”. resource to keep going?
Rachel Wilmot’s workplace before she u Build a role in the trust with a focus on
retired was in Hull, where recruitment was outreach in schools and universities,
predominantly local because of and liaising with careers counsellors
geographic positioning. Due to the impact u Embed EDI values in the workplace
of certain reputational hits and staff induction process
surveys, the leadership launched a study to u Build a kind, compassionate culture.
understand what the staff wanted the u Encourage new recruits to state their
environment to feel like. People were needs, such as neurodiversity ones
encouraged to think about individual u Allow space for colleagues to share
responsibility through the use of ‘I will…’ how they are feeling
and ‘I won’t…’ statements, thus tackling u Continue to present the business case
inappropriate behaviours and encouraging for good EDI policies: pressure on the
allyship. In addition, an outreach initiative NHS and the cost involved with
was launched, coordinated by Rachel’s recruiting new staff
colleague Chris Chase, which involved u Metrics: reduced disparity at work
science sessions and mentoring between different demographic and
opportunities with pupils in deprived identity categories, proportional
areas making A-level and university representation (e.g. 20% band 7 and
choices. In addition, engaging with local above from minority ethnic
careers advisers to promote scientific backgrounds), attendance to allyship
pathways, like becoming a phlebotomist training (e.g. at least 80%).
or medical consultant, helped widen the
Recommended resources and
future recruitment pool for the hospital.
further reading
As for the ACB, we have seen u NHS Leadership Academy – Inspiration
improvements in diversity and inclusion library
thanks to continuous work done by the u NHS Leadership Academy – Inclusion,
EDI working group, led by EDI Champions equality and diversity statement
u NHS England – NHS Equality and
Rachel Wilmot and Dilini Peiris. The goal
is for ACB leadership to reflect its
Diversity Council resources
membership, which has changed
significantly over recent years. The ACB u The Antisocial podcast on BBC Sounds
has been collecting data about the u The Science Council Declaration on
makeup of its membership. We know that, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion –
at the time of the webinar, 22% of signed by the ACB n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

20 | General News

ACB welcomes new members

The ACB is proud to introduce the following new members who have joined us since the
last edition of ACB News. Please extend a warm welcome to:
u Azzah Abubacar, Student, Queen Mary University of London
u Mariangela Aloj, Student, Queen Mary University of London
u Mahmoud Ismail Attalaa, Lecturer of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine,
Arish University
u Sara Azeem, Trainee Clinical Biochemist, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
u Kylie Beale, Specialist Registrar, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
u Emma Bodenham, ST3, Southampton General Hospital
u Gregory Bulmer, Trainee Clinical Scientist, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS
Foundation Trust
u Kathryn Challis, Senior Clinical Scientist, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation
Trust
u Prabu Kumar Chokkalinga Mani, Specialist - Chemical Pathology, Salmaniya Medical
Complex, Bahrain
u Gráinne Daly, Trainee Clinical Scientist, NHS Lanarkshire
u Pooja Dhiman, Assistant Professor, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute,
India
u Kelly Foley, Principal Biochemist, Cork University Hospital
u Fenella Halstead, Clinical Scientist and HSST Trainee, Wye Valley NHS Trust (Hereford
County Hospital)
u Samuel Johnson, Student, University of Northampton
u Stephen Peter Kidd, Principal Clinical Scientist, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
u Clodagh Kivlehan, Senior Clinical Biochemist, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin
u Lanka Liyanage, Locum Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Leeds and York Partnership
NHS Foundation Trust
u Hannah Lowe, Senior Clinical Scientist, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation
Trust
u Marina Minic-Novcic, SpR in Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine, Addenbrooke’s
Hospital, Cambridge
u Rachel Norman, Trainee Clinical Scientist, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust
u Ekitumi Ofagbor, Specialty Doctor, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
u Simon Pope, Senior Biomedical Scientist / Senior Research Fellow, University College
London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
u Esther Purcell, Senior Medical Scientist, Beacon Hospital, Dublin
u Soundravally Rajendiran, Professor, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical
Education & Research, India
u Elaine Shearer, Blood Science Quality Coordinator, NHS Lothian
u Shwe Win, ST3, Chemical Pathology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
u Dalal Yehya, STP Trainee, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

Corporate Members
u Chromsystems Instruments and Chemical GmbH n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 UKMedLab23 | 21

A warm invitation to
meet at UKMedLab23
Sarah Robinson, Director of Conferences and Events
As UKMedLab23 bookings are now open, I look forward to
welcoming you all to Leeds for what proves to be an
exceptional programme, hosted in the perfect location
that is the Royal Armouries.
This year, we celebrate 70 years of the ACB. With this in
mind, and to celebrate the work and contribution of all our
members, each region was invited to host a parallel session at
the National Meeting.
I am pleased that all nine ACB regions have accepted the
invitation with enthusiasm and vigour and have planned
sessions showcasing the varied specialisms across the UK and
RoI. We’re also excited to offer a brand-new session focussed
on the current challenges in POCT, on top of the highly popular interactive case session,
the Medal Award presentations and the Impact, Foundation and International plenary
lectures.
Currently, many of us are spending an increasing amount of time sitting at our
computers in the virtual world, making it a rare occasion for us to meet up in person.
UKMedLab provides a platform for us all to connect with our peers, absorb the science
without distraction and discuss and debate the pertinent challenges and innovations that
we currently face. I can’t wait to see many of you in Leeds this June.

Ticket information

You can purchase tickets for one or both days of the conference alongside a Training Day
ticket. If you are an ACB Member at the time of booking, the ACB Member price will be
applied to your tickets automatically.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

22 | UKMedLab23

If you are struggling to finance the cost of attending UKMedLab23 and are unable to
secure financial assistance from your employer, there are a number of bursaries and
grants available.
If you would like to pay for your UKMedLab23 ticket via Purchase Order (PO), please do
not book through the website. Instead, email our team at enquiries@acb.org.uk
with your full name and a copy of your PO.

Find out more about bursaries and grants, PO instructions and other ticket
information on the ACB website.

The venue
All UKMedLab23 conference and training day sessions will be held at the Royal Armouries,
Leeds, between Monday 12 and Wednesday 14 June 2023. For suggested travel options,
including by car, train and local transport, visit our website.
Accessibility at the Royal Armouries
Hearing loops are available in the Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Hall and the Wellington
Suite. If you require a hearing loop, please let us know in the Access requirements section
of your booking. All spaces are step-free and there is lift access to the first floor of
Royal Armouries. Disabled toilets are located on the ground, first, second and fourth
floors. A prayer room, breastfeeding room and quiet spaces are available upon request –
just let a member of our team know.

Social events
Welcome evening – Canary Bar
Conference and Training Day delegates are warmly invited to attend the optional
welcome evening on Monday 12 June at 5pm. Have a complimentary drink, chat with
fellow delegates and relax before the exciting conference ahead.
Conference reception – Aspire
UKMedLab23 conference delegates are welcome to attend the Conference reception on
Tuesday 13 June from 7pm. This will be held at Aspire, an award-winning premier events
space in the heart of Leeds. The evening will begin with a welcome speech and drinks a
in the Mezzanine space from 7pm. Guests are then invited to move into the Banking Hall
for a hot buffet supper followed by music and dancing until midnight.

Image credit: Alastair Fyfe

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 UKMedLab23 | 23

Spotlight on UKMedLab23 speakers

The Leeds experience (Trent, Northern & Yorkshire)
SPOTLIGHT: Robert Barski
The metabolic effects of nitrous oxide abuse – “no laughing matter!”
Robert Barski trained as a Clinical Scientist before moving to Leeds to specialise
in Biochemical Genetics in 2008. He has worked at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust for nearly 15 years becoming the lead for the Biochemical Genetics and
Screening Laboratories in 2020. He has a particular interest in disorders of
creatine biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism.

Neuroendocrine tumours (Northern Ireland)

SPOTLIGHT: Joy Ardill
A lifetime experience in peptides and neuroendocrine tumours
Professor Joy Ardill has over 50 years’ experience in the field of NETs. She has
played a key role in the service since its inception, researching into and
developing some of the early radioimmunoassays used to measure gut
hormones in Belfast.

Specialist interest updates in heavy metals, drugs of abuse

and bile acid malabsorption (West Midlands)
SPOTLIGHT: Alex Lawson
From the laboratory to the headlines, the emergence of nitazene opioids
in the UK
Dr Alex Lawson is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist and Toxicologist in
Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BSc in
Biochemistry and a PhD in hormonal metabolism. He has worked at University
Hospitals Birmingham since 2010. His special interests include the use of mass
spectrometry for the measurement of drugs and hormones in biological fluids,
clinical / post mortem toxicology and lab-based assessment of medication
adherence.

Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in Scotland:

The past, present and future (Scotland)
SPOTLIGHT: Mark Strachan
C-peptide measurement in diabetes
Mark Strachan is a Consultant in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Acute Medicine
at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and an Honorary Professor of the
University of Edinburgh. He has a long interest in diagnostic accuracy in diabetes
and runs a monogenic forms of diabetes clinic. He is Secretary of the Royal College
of Physicians of Edinburgh and a former RD Lawrence lecturer of Diabetes UK.

The pre- and post-analytical phases (South West and Wessex)

SPOTLIGHT: Timothy McDonald
Capillary blood collection to facilitate home testing
Professor Timothy McDonald is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist and Director
of the Blood Sciences Department at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
He is also an NIHR Senior Clinical Lecturer in the Diabetes Unit at the University
of Exeter Medical School. His research focusses on the use of biochemical and
immunological tests to improve classification and treatment of patients with
diabetes.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

24 | UKMedLab23

Point-of-Care Testing: Wriggly worms out of the can

SPOTLIGHT: Jonathan Kay
POCT IT: Nailing down the great unknown
Jonathan Kay spent most of his career as a Chemical Pathologist in Oxford.
He has also been Clinical Informatics Director at NHS England, Professor of Health
Informatics at University College London and City University London, and Chair
of the Faculty of Clinical Informatics. His research interests include the process of
clinical investigation, medical knowledge management and everyday technology
at the point of care.

A selection of topics from the Republic of Ireland

SPOTLIGHT: M J Duffy
Circulating tumor DNA: The next major blood-based cancer biomarker?
Professor Duffy is based at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin and University
College, Dublin. He received his BSc (Hons) from the University of Galway and his
PhD from the University of Manchester. He served as a member of the National
Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) (USA) and the European Group on
Tumor Markers (EGTM) for establishing guidelines on the clinical use of tumour
markers.

The Southern Region response to challenges in laboratory medicine

SPOTLIGHT: Penny Cliff
Performance evaluation of the Viasure PCR assay for the diagnosis of mpox:
A multicentre study
Dr Penny Cliff is the Lead Scientist for the Synnovis Infection Sciences Laboratory
based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London. Areas of interest are respiratory
infections, sexually transmitted infections and the use of next generation
sequencing technologies in the advancement of infectious disease diagnosis.

Myths, legends and WLIMS (Wales)

SPOTLIGHT: Joanne Rogers
WEDINOS (Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances)
Joanne Rogers is a Consultant Clinical Scientist based at Cardiff Toxicology
Laboratory, University Hospital of LLandough, Cardiff and Vale University Health
Board. Having an interest in specialist services and analytical techniques,
she specialised first in Trace Elements and then in Toxicology. Joanne is secretary
for the Clinical Toxicology Network UK, an RCPath representative on the
Wales National Implementation Board for Drug Poisoning and a member of
the WEDINOS programme board.

Innovation and specialist biochemistry in the North West

SPOTLIGHT: Phillip Monaghan
The VALTIVE1 trial: Validation of plasma Tie2 as the first tumour vascular
response biomarker for VE
Phillip Monaghan graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of
Science and Technology in Biochemistry with Applied Molecular Biology and
has a PhD in Molecular Enzymology from the University of Leicester. He has been a
Clinical Scientist at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust and the Christie Pathology
Partnership in Manchester for 13 years and is Clinical Director of Pathology. Special
research interests include evidence-based laboratory medicine (test evaluation),
biochemical endocrinology and translational biomarker development.

Speaker photos courtesy of each individual speaker

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 UKMedLab23 | 25

UKMedLab23 Programme
Biochemistry Training Day (12 June)
9.00am Registration
9.30am Abbott Diagnostics presents: Procurement options – managed service
contracts, reagent rental, capital purchase. The pros and cons
(shared with Microbiology Training Day)
Jacob Stokes
10.30am Procurement in the real world: Challenges you will face,
and how to overcome them
(shared with Microbiology Training Day)
Collaborative procurement – one big happy family?
Hazel Borthwick
11.00am Coffee break
11.15am Management scenarios: An interactive session
(shared with Microbiology Training Day)
Allison Chipchase
12.30pm Lunch break
1.30pm Real world statistics
Craig Webster
2.45pm Coffee break
3.00pm An overview of liver metabolism: Clinical case series
Katherine Bates
3.45pm Advances in the laboratory diagnosis of liver disease
Stuart McPherson
4.30pm Discussion

Image credit: Alastair Fyfe

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

26 | UKMedLab23

Microbiology Training Day (12 June)

9.00am Registration
9.30am Abbott Diagnostics presents: Procurement options – managed service
contracts, reagent rental, capital purchase. The pros and cons
(shared with Biochemistry Training Day)
Jacob Stokes
10.30am Procurement in the real world: Challenges you will face,
and how to overcome them
(shared with Biochemistry Training Day)
Collaborative procurement – one big happy family?
Hazel Borthwick
11.00am Coffee break
11.15am Management scenarios: An interactive session
(shared with Biochemistry Training Day)
Allison Chipchase
12.30pm Lunch break
1.30pm Properties of antimicrobial drugs
Andrew Stone
2.15pm Infection control for clinical scientists
Jessica Martin
2.45pm Coffee break
3.00pm Interactive case discussions
Session chair: Naomi Gadsby
3.00pm Diagnosis and management of infection in genitourinary medicine
Anna Hartley
3.30pm Tuberculosis, drug resistant tuberculosis and HIV
Penny Lewthwaite
4.00pm Diagnosis and treatment of infections in marginalised patient groups
Helen Phelan

Image credit: Alastair Fyfe

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 UKMedLab23 | 27

Conference: Day 1 (13 June)

9.00am Welcome from the ACB President
Bernie Croal
9.20am The International Award Lecture
Speaker to be confirmed
10.15am The Leeds experience (Trent, Northern & Yorkshire)
Session Chair: Jennifer Spencer
10.15am Essential blood testing in the patient abusing androgenic anabolic steriods
Stephen Gibbons
10.45am Lead toxicity in children
Carys Lippiatt
11.15am The metabolic effects of nitrous oxide abuse – “no laughing matter!”
Robert Barski
10.15am Neuroendocrine tumours (Northern Ireland)
Session Chair: Kirsty Spence
10.15am A lifetime experience in peptides and neuroendocrine tumours
Joy Ardill
10.45am Carcinoid syndrome
Una Graham
11.15am MEN1
Claire McHenry
11.45am Lunch and poster rounds
12.00pm Industry sponsored workshops
1.45pm The Impact Award Lecture
Speaker(s) to be confirmed
2.15pm Specialist interest updates in heavy metals, drugs of abuse and
bile acid malabsorption (West Midlands)
Session Chair: Alexandra Yates
2.15pm Diagnosis and monitoring of heavy metal poisoning: interactive case
illustrations
Nicola Barlow
2.45pm From the laboratory to the headlines, the emergence of nitazene opioids
in the UK
Alex Lawson
3.15pm Diagnostic difficulties in bile acid diarrhoea
Lauren Starbrook
2.15pm Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in Scotland:
The past, present and future (Scotland)
Session Chair: Melissa McNaughton
2.15pm Past, present and future of specialist endocrine testing
Karen Smith

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

28 | UKMedLab23

2.35pm C-peptide measurement in diabetes

Mark Strachan
3.00pm Islet cell transplant
Kirsty Duncan
3.20pm Diabetes in adolescence
Ian Hunter
4.00pm The pre- and post-analytical phases (South West and Wessex)
Session Chair: George Allen
4.00pm Capillary blood collection to facilitate home testing
Tim McDonald
4.30pm Use of clinical decision support in patient test pathways
Anna Barton
5.00pm Demand management of ANA and specific IgEs
Kristen Lilly
4.00pm The Medal Award Finalists Presentations
Speakers to be confirmed

Image credit: Alastair Fyfe

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 UKMedLab23 | 29

Conference: Day 2 (14 June)

9.00am Point-of-Care Testing: Wriggly worms out of the can
Session Chair: Katy Heaney
9.00am Neonatal jaundice assessment: Banana skins and snake pits
Fiona Riddoch, Bethan Phillips
9.30am POCT IT: Nailing down the great unknown
Jonathan Kay
10.00am Hs-cTnI implementation: The POCT obstacle course
Lisa Vipond, Anthea Patterson
9.00am A selection of topics from the Republic of Ireland
Session Chair: Brendan Byrne
9.00am Biochemical testing of atypical fluids – a personal perspective
Peadar McGing
9.30am Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): The next major blood-based cancer
biomarker?
M J Duffy
10.00am Prolactin/Macroprolactin screening
Graham Lee
11.00am The Southern region response to challenges in laboratory medicine
Session Chair: Alex Read
11.00am Performance evaluation of the Viasure PCR assay for the diagnosis of mpox:
A multicentre study
Penny Cliff
11.30am Measurement of free light chains – technical challenges and clinical utility
Joanne Morris
12.00pm Measuring FGF23 in patients treated with Burosumab
Isabelle Piec
11.00am Myths, legends and WLIMS (Wales)
Session Chair: Anthony Jackson-Crawford
11.00am A whistle stop tour of the porphyrias and Cardiff Porphyria Centre
Danja Schulenburg-Brand
11.30am Blood science standardisation – why bother?
Catherine Bailey, Rachel Still
12.00pm WEDINOS (Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances)
Joanne Rogers
12.30pm Lunch and poster rounds

1.00pm Industry sponsored workshops

1.30pm ACB Annual General Meeting (AGM)

2.30pm President’s Address

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

30 | UKMedLab23

3pm The Foundation Award Lecture

Speaker to be confirmed
3.45pm Interactive Clinical Case Presentations
Session Chair: Danielle Freedman
Speakers to be confirmed
Innovation and specialist biochemistry in the North West
Session Chair: Niamh Horton
3.45pm The Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank and The Walton Centre:
Our journey so far
Carrie Chadwick, Khaja Syed
4.15pm The VALTIVE1 trial: Validation of plasma Tie2 as the first tumour vascular
response biomarker for VE
Phillip Monaghan
4.30pm Validation of high-sensitive thyroglobulin and autoantibodies assays
Sally Thirkettle
4.45pm Fetal thyroid function
Beverly Hird
5.15pm Closing Ceremony and Awards

Image credit: Royal Armouries, Leeds

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Deacon’s Challenge Revisited | 31

Deacon’s Challenge
Revisited
No 25 - Answer
A laboratory performs sweat tests by collecting sweat for 20 minutes using 5.5 cm filter
paper discs. In order to comply with the Sweat Test Guidelines that the sweat secretion rate
should not be less than 1 g/m2/min, what is the minimum weight of sweat that should be
collected?

Sweat rate (g/m2/min) = Wt sweat (g) collected in 20 min

Area of filter paper (m2) x 20

Area of filter paper = π r2

Diameter = 5.5 cm, therefore radius = 5.5/2 = 2.75 cm = 0.0275 m

And area = 3.142 x 0.0275 x 0.0275 m2

Therefore to obtain a sweat rate of 1 g/m2/min using filter paper of 5.5 cm diameter:

1 = Wt sweat (g) collected in 20 min

3.142 x 0.0275 x 0.0275 x 20

Rearranging:

Wt sweat (g) collected in 20 min = 3.142 x 0.0275 x 0.0275 x 20

= 0.048 g

Question 26
buffered NADH and 100 μL of serum. The reaction was started by adding 100 μL of
An assay mixture for the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase constituted 2.7 mL of

sodium pyruvate. The absorbance change over 5 minutes was 0.150 when measured in a
0.5 cm light path at 340 nm. Assuming the molar absorptivity of NADH at 340 nm is 6.30
x 103 Lmol-1cm-1, calculate the enzyme activity.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

32 | Microbiology News

The Diggle Microbiology Challenge

These multiple-choice questions, set by Dr Mathew Diggle, are designed with Trainees in
mind and will help with preparation for the Microbiology Part 1 FRCPath exam.
Question 35 from February’s ACB News
The following are true or false statements about group A (beta-hemolytic) Streptococci
(GAS):
A. Streptococcus pyogenes are non-motile, non-sporing gram-positive, aerotolerant
cocci that tend to link in chains.
B. GAS is a rare cause of acute bacterial pharyngitis.
C. The definition of invasive group A Streptococci (iGAS) is an individual who has an iGAS
infection, which is defined as the detection of group A streptococcus (GAS), by culture
or accredited molecular methods (such as PCR), from a normally sterile body site.
D. Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infection is not a statutorily notifiable disease
in England, Scotland and Wales.
E. Currently, emm typing remains the molecular gold standard for typing GAS and more
than 200 emm types have been described globally.
F. Chickenpox and Influenza are both considered risks factor for development of iGAS
infection.
Answers
True – A. True. C. It can also include severe GAS infections, where GAS has been isolated
from a normally non-sterile site in combination with a severe clinical presentation.
E. Although, further sub-typing or single-nucleotide polymorphism from whole genome
sequencing (WGS) may be required to identify, or more clearly define, a potential
outbreak as well as for monitoring during the management and investigation of an
outbreak. F. Both chickenpox and influenza are both considered risks factor for
development of iGAS infection in children, with chickenpox related the highest risk
4 to 5 days after onset of rash (range 2 to 14 days).
False – B. GAS is the most common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis, responsible for
5%-15% of sore throat visits in adults and 20%-30% in children. D. Invasive group A
streptococcus (iGAS) infection was introduced as a statutorily notifiable disease in England
and Wales in 2010. All iGAS cases diagnosed from sterile sites are classified as urgent and
should be notified by telephone within 24 hours. In Scotland both necrotising fasciitis and
iGAS have been notifiable since 2008. In Northern Ireland iGAS is not currently notifiable,
suspected or confirmed iGAS is reported by microbiologists and clinicians on a voluntary
basis.
Question 36
The following are true or false statements regarding viral infection of the central nervous
system (CNS):
A. Meningitis may occur together with encephalitis.
B. Enteroviruses are one of the commonest causes of CNS infections in childhood.
C. Electron microscopy of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a useful diagnostic test.
D. PCR has no role in the diagnosis of CNS infections.
E. The detection of antibody in the CSF is a useful diagnostic marker.
The answer to Question 36 will appear in the next issue of ACB News – enjoy! n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Microbiology News | 33

H5N1 Avian flu

Rushana A Hussain, Clinical Scientist, Department of Microbiology,
Royal Bolton Hospital
Avian influenza is a subtype of Influenza A spread of HPAI A(H5N1). There is evidence
virus. It occurs mainly in birds. Commonly of the virus in healthy migratory bird
known as Bird Flu, it is highly pathogenic populations. In conjunction with carriage
and contagious among birds. It circulates in migratory birds, global industrialisation
and is maintained in many bird of the poultry industry is likely to be also
populations, especially in Southeast Asia. contributing to movement of the virus.
Infection in birds The commercial poultry industry in the
United Kingdom (UK) is worth an
One strain of avian influenza of particular
concern is the highly pathogenic avian estimated £3.4 billion at retail value,
influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), which first producing over 174 million birds for
appeared in Asia. Spreading globally to consumption per year. Driven by the
more than 60 countries spanning three growing demand for poultry food
continents, it poses a major challenge to products, farmers have industrialised
animal and human health due to its poultry farming, resulting in thousands of
panzootic nature. The highly contagious birds living in close quarters. Birds may
nature of the virus has led to the culling of also be moved between sites nationally
tens of millions of birds across the globe in and internationally to be processed,
the hope of stemming its spread. creating the ideal opportunity for a highly
Evidence suggests that migratory birds are contagious virus, such as HPAI A(H5N1),
the reason behind the incredibly fast to spread like wildfire through flocks.

Photo courtesy of European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

34 | Microbiology News

Infections in humans of the pathogenesis of the infection.

Although HPAI A(H5N1) is primarily an A number of genetic components and
avian disease, there have been cases and mechanisms have been identified as key
outbreak-associated zoonotic transmission determinants of increased pathogenicity
to humans from infected birds, primarily and tropism. The main concern around
poultry.1,2 The virus is capable of pathogenicity and tropism is the ability of
replicating in humans, causing a serious, the virus to undergo re-assortment.
and in many cases, highly fatal infection. Re-assortment is the genetic exchange
The World Health Organisation (WHO) that can occur in segmented viruses,
data suggest a fatality rate of enabling the ability to exchange genetic
approximately 60%. The spectrum of material between viruses of the same
clinical features of HPAI A(H5N1) in species, resulting in a new virus type.
humans range from mild illness, subclinical Re-assortment only occurs when multiple
infection and atypical presentations of viruses co-infect the same cells and
infection. Most notably, in contrast to the replicate their progeny segments in the
human influenza H1N1, HPAI A(H5N1) same cytoplasm. Possible re-assortment of
causes severe infection in previously the HPAI A(H5N1) with a human influenza
healthy young children and adults. is of significant concern.
Most HPAI A(H5N1)-infected patients Global Pandemic
have initial symptoms of high fever (>38°C)
HPAI A(H5N1) is a pathogen of global
and an influenza-like illness and lower
high concern as defined by the World
respiratory tract symptoms.5 The typical
Health Organisation (WHO). The concern
conjunctivitis associated with human
is about re-assortment of HPAI A(H5N1)
influenza is absent. Diarrhoea, vomiting,
and circulating human influenza. This may
abdominal pain, pleuritic pain and
result in a highly pathogenic and
bleeding from the nose and gums may be
contagious virus that is able to efficiently
present. Respiratory distress associated
infect humans. The ineffectiveness of
with clinical pneumonia is present,
vaccines and antivirals, and the highly
including tachypnea and inspiratory
contagious nature of the new virus type
crackles. Sputum production is variable.
could lead to another deadly global
This all progresses to respiratory failure
pandemic. The high fatality rate in
and the manifestations of the acute
humans, especially in healthy individuals,
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
would have a detrimental effect on
This, more often than not, leads to the
populations, resulting in a global
inevitable multi-organ failure.
pandemic with significantly worse
Despite the high mortality rate of HPAI
outcomes than those of the COVID-19
A(H5N1) it remains inefficient in its ability
virus.
to transmit from human to human;4
this however does nothing to alleviate the Surveillance
fears of a global pandemic of HPAI Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry
A(H5N1). and other captive birds, as well as in
Re-assortment humans, and must be reported
immediately. The aim of surveillance
The WHO, Governments and
and early notification is to detect and
Pharmaceutical industry have made huge
halt the spread of the virus.
investments in animal and in vitro research
and modelling to gain understanding

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Microbiology News | 35

Summary Thompson W.W., Conn L., Lu X. and

HPAI A(H5N1) is a pathogen of global high Cox N.J., 2002. Risk of influenza A
concern. The global industrialisation of (H5N1) infection among poultry
poultry farming brings this deadly virus workers, Hong Kong, 1997-1998.
closer to humans, increasing the possibility The Journal of Infectious Diseases,
of re-assortment, which could result in a 185(8), pp.1005-1010.
highly pathogenic and contagious virus 3. Koopmans M., Wilbrink B., Conyn M.,
with effective human transmission Natrop G., Van Der Nat H., Vennema H.,
capabilities in a highly susceptible Meijer A., van Steenbergen J.,
population. A global pandemic would be Fouchier R., Osterhaus A. and Bosman
inevitable. Lessons from the not-so-distant A., 2004. Transmission of H7N7 avian
past must be learned. Sufficient influenza A virus to human beings
investment to enable effective surveillance during a large outbreak in commercial
and vaccination programs is required for poultry farms in The Netherlands.
both poultry and human populations. The Lancet, 363(9409), pp.587-593.
However, the need to review 4. Beare A.S., Webster R.G. Replication of
industrialisation processes in the food and avian influenza viruses in humans.
poultry industry needs to also be Arch Virol. 1991;119(1-2):37-42. doi:
prioritised. 10.1007/BF01314321. PMID: 1863223.
5. World Health Organization. WHO
References interim guidelines on clinical
1. Ungchusak K., Auewarakul P., management of humans infected by
Dowell S.F., et al. (January 2005). influenza A(H5N1). February 20, 2004.
Probable person-to-person transmission (Accessed September 2, 2005, at
of avian influenza A (H5N1). https://www.who.int/publications/m/ite
N Engl J Med 352 (4): 333-340. m/recommended-composition-of-
doi:10.1056/NEJMoa044021. PMID influenza-virus-vaccines-for-use-in-the-
15668219. S2CID 10729294 2022-2023-northern-hemisphere-
2. Bridges C.B., Lim W., Hu-Primmer J., influenza-season n
Sim L., Fukuda K., Mak K.H., Rowe T.,

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

36 | Federation News

HCPC consultation on
fees outcome
Emma Lewis, Director of Regulatory Affairs
Background Mitigations
In September last year the Health and Care To try and help with the increase in fees
Professions Council (HCPC) released a the HCPC has put in place the following
consultation on increasing fees from the mitigations:
current £98.12 by £19.62 a year to £117.74. u Increasing the frequency of direct
The consultation closed in December 2022 debits from the current twice yearly to
with the decision being released in four times yearly. It is hoped to
February. During the consultation period introduce this by October 2023
u Pushing for protected CPD time with
the HCPC ran a series of stakeholder
events and public focus groups to explain
employers
the reason behind the fees increase and
the mitigations that would be put in place u Promoting availability of tax relief
to try and help registrants with the through information on the HCPC
increase. The HCPC has been operating at website with links to HMRC guidance
a loss for the past 5 years and this has led and on-line portal
to a decrease in their reserves which is u Promoting better communication with
unsustainable. Despite efficiency savings, registrants
it has been projected that without an u Retaining the 50% graduate discount.
increase in fees they would not be able to
fund essential improvements and meet Timing of fees increase
their regulatory requirements. As the increase must go through the
Outcome of the consultation legislative process, it is estimated that the
increase in fees would start in July 2023.
The consultation received 9509 complete
As the HCPC propose to maintain the
responses of which about 98% were from
two-yearly cycle of renewal, the first
registrants, representing just under 3% of
professions to pay the increased fees
the register. There were responses from
would be clinical scientists, prosthetists
all 4 countries of the UK and professions
and orthotists, speech and language
as well as professional bodies and
therapists, occupational therapists and
Trade Unions. Despite 88% of those who
biomedical scientists.
responded saying that fees should not be
For more information see the HCPC
increased, the Council took this decision
website at HCPC Council agrees fee rise
proposals. n
to increase the fees to combat the
combination of increasing costs and the
decline in reserves.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Federation News | 37

NHS Pay offer

Emma Lewis, Director of Regulatory Affairs
For band 5-8a this is a payment of
£1350, for band 8b and 8c it is £1450,
for band 8d it is £1550 and for
band 9 it is £1600
u Both of these payments are one-off
payments and non-consolidated
i.e. do not count towards pension
contributions or for the calculation
of additional earnings.

For 2023-2024
u A consolidated payment to all staff
of 5% of earnings.
The deal also includes several non-pay
Last week, after negotiations with the NHS measures to support NHS staff.
Trade Unions, the Government in England Several Unions will be putting this offer
announced a new pay offer for this year, to their members so we wait to see if
as well as an offer for pay for the year this offer will be accepted by the
2023-2024. The deal is in several parts: Trade Unions.
During this period the Agenda for
For 2022-2023 Change (AfC) Trade Unions have agreed
u A non-consolidated pay offer of to suspend their strike action.
2% of salary Further details can be found on the NHS
u A one-off tiered ‘NHS backlogs’ employers website at Government and
Agenda for Change Trade Unions ‘offer in
principle’ | NHS Employer. n
bonus. The tiers differ and are
based on experience and basic pay.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

38 | Trainees News

The Leeds training

experience
Eloise Haynes, STP in Biochemistry and Keir Bailey, Senior Clinical
Scientist (Biochemistry), Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Why did you want to train to be a

Clinical Scientist?
Eloise: During my time as an
undergraduate I studied Medical Sciences
but I found myself at a bit of a loss on how
I could use my degree to work within the
NHS and in a clinical capacity. I went to a
careers fair to get some inspiration and
that’s when I learnt about the STP. It was
ideal really; it allowed me to stay within
science and research whilst also applying Eloise Haynes and Keir Bailey
my clinical knowledge. Also, whilst
applying I found out how the career
progression can include doing a PhD which during our first year. I found this really
is something I’ve always considered doing. helpful as it can feel daunting starting the
STP, but it was made all the easier by
Keir: Having an academic background in
having a group who were in the same
analytical chemistry and biochemistry,
boat as myself. I was also lucky enough to
I was interested in using my skills in a job
have Keir nearby who I could chat to and
that could make a difference and help
talk through anything that was on my
improve lives. I had worked doing a lot of
mind and get any advice she could give as
different jobs, but when I heard about the
a recently graduated Trainee.
Clinical Scientist role, I knew that was
what I wanted to do. I applied for the STP Keir: As an STP who trained at Leeds I
in 2019 and was lucky enough to be able was very keen to stay at Leeds after my
to train at my top choice hospital – Leeds! training, so I felt very lucky when I was
successful at interview for a Band 7
How many Biochemistry Trainees
position in Specialist Laboratory Medicine.
are there at Leeds Teaching There are now three of us revising for our
Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT)? FRCPath exams, two medics and myself.
Eloise: For my cohort of STPs I am the only It works really well as they can share
biochemistry STP based in Leeds. However, their clinical knowledge and I can help
for my first-year rotations I have worked with the lab side of things.
closely with two of the first-year
haematology STPs during three of our What makes training at LTHT
four rotations. Here at Leeds the training special?
officers for each specialism aim to align Eloise: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
our rotations with other STPs of similar is comprised of two large sites which
specialisms so that we have peer support provide a range of routine and specialised

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Trainees News | 39

services in biochemistry and haematology. Keir: Rolling out of bed and making it to
I am fortunate to be training here at the conference on time! At last year’s
Leeds as I have access to routine UKMedLab I really enjoyed the Interactive
biochemistry labs and specialist lab Clinical Case Presentations, so I am looking
medicine as well as various other forward to more weird and wonderful
pathology departments such as cases this year. I also like how each UK
immunology and genetics. region is represented on the programme;
Consequently, gaining a variety of it will be nice to see what everyone is
experiences and broad knowledge in proud to share and an excellent
several key specialisms is made easy here opportunity to pinch good ideas.
at Leeds. Also, having contacts across
several departments has allowed me to What shouldn’t be missed for
gain experience in clinical departments. visitors to Leeds?
Recently I have had the opportunity to Keir: If you aren’t science and medicined
shadow cardiac perfusionists and surgeons out by UKMedLab23, the Thackray Medical
during a coronary artery bypass surgery Museum is great if you have a spare
and attend kidney donor clinics. morning. If you prefer something more
This was a fascinating experience and relaxing though, the Corn Exchange and
an interesting way to find out exactly Arcades have lots of cute independent
how squeamish I am! shops and are open late on a Thursday.
To eat, one of my favourite places is
Keir: Currently a new purpose-built
Bundobust – Indian street food and tasty
Pathology lab is in construction which will
beers on tap, plus it’s near the station if
unite most of Pathology under one roof
you’re travelling home.
and consolidate testing across the
West Yorkshire region. It will be exciting Eloise: If you like hiking, country walks
to see how this progresses and be involved and more importantly country pubs then
in the opportunities that arise. Leeds is ideal. It has easy access to public
We are also part of an excellent training transport to various little villages, towns
network: the Trent, North and Yorkshire and nature trails around the Yorkshire
Region Trainee Reps do an amazing job moors. I love travelling just outside
organising regular regional FRCPath the main city and going for a long walk
tutorials on MS Teams which are great for and then rewarding myself with a
FRCPath revision. much-needed pub lunch.
If country walks aren’t for you, then I
What are you looking forward to would recommend either attempting or
most at the Leeds UKMedLab23? just observing the Otley run. The Otley run
Eloise: I am yet to go to a UKMedLab occurs every Saturday and is essentially the
conference, but I have heard how most challenging pub crawl I’ve ever
interesting and useful the events are for witnessed. The idea is to go as a group
Trainees and Clinical Scientists alike. I am and dress in fancy dress and then attempt
looking forward to experiencing one of a 15 (I think) pub crawl down Otley Road.
these events for the first time and gaining I can’t say I’ve ever managed to complete
insight into what other regions are the Otley run but it is definitely something
researching and working towards. of a Leeds tradition. n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

40 | Meeting Reports

ACB Republic of Ireland

Region Scientific Meeting
Janice Reeve and Clodagh Kivlehan, St Vincent's University Hospital,
Dublin, Ireland

The Annual ACB Republic of Ireland

Regional Scientific Meeting was held
virtually by MS Teams on 3 February.
Given our small ACB membership in the
Republic of Ireland and the geographical
spread, the virtual element, while a
hangover from the COVID-19 pandemic,
worked well for the audience and made
attendance more accessible. The meeting
had exceptionally strong speakers and
the schedule was diverse and thought
provoking.
The first session was chaired by
Carl Talbot, Senior Biochemist in the
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital,
Dublin, who introduced a line up of
prestigious professors in their fields.
Paediatric GH deficiency survey, amongst others. Serum IGF-1 is
Professor Colin Hawkes, Consultant considered a reasonable proxy for GH
Endocrinologist in Paediatrics at Cork production from the pituitary. As IGF-1 is
University Hospital, spoke on the complex nutrition dependent, a high GH may be
topic of the diagnosis, or sometimes useful to rule out a deficiency in
misdiagnosis, of paediatric growth undernourished patients. Testosterone
hormone (GH) deficiency. He discussed the and oestradiol, increased in puberty,
clinical challenges encountered and will increase IGF-1 levels, therefore
normal variations in growth – is taller appropriate, and preferably Tanner
stature really linked to better success? stage-specific, reference intervals should
We never appreciated that children grow be used. If IGF-1 is low, a GH stimulation
most in summer! Firstly, correct test will be considered. However, there are
measurement must be undertaken with 20 different stimulants, including arginine,
appropriate techniques and equipment. clonidine, glucagon and insulin and none
Clues to pathological growth delay can be are good. Stress in itself is a GH stimulus
provided by pubertal status, growth and the GH peak can occur in some
trajectory, weight and proportionality. instances before the actual stimulus is
The differential diagnosis is wide and administered at all. Similarly, GH
varied. Screening typically includes FBC, production is increased during puberty,
ESR, bone profile, renal profile, coeliac yet the GH peak required to determine
screen, TSH, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, bone age sufficiency is not adjusted to allow for this.
determination, karyotype and a skeletal Obesity and calorific intake can also affect

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Meeting Reports | 41

the stimulation test. As GH undergoes combination therapies commencing where

post-translational modifications, the clinically indicated. Weight loss will trigger
various GH assays will have different hunger and decreased satiety. Liraglutide
sensitivities. This may lead to the and semaglutide, both GLP-1 agonists,
misinterpretation of results. To overcome deliver a biological treatment for a
some of these confounders, Professor biological disease; responders will lose
Hawkes indicated that 40% of Paediatric weight, feel less hungry and be more
Endocrinologists will perform two GH satisfied after eating. Non-responders will
stimulation tests on separate days. require alternative medications.
Nonetheless, the protocols in place lend to Unfortunately, we cannot predict who will
the over diagnosis of GH deficiency. respond to this treatment in advance.
However, when GH is started, it is difficult Responders will report the process as easy,
to withdraw the treatment. where they are no longer thinking about
food all the time. Finally, Professor le Roux
New therapies for the
suggested checking out the website.
treatment of obesity
For our listening pleasure, the next Future of pharmacogenomics
speaker, Professor Carel le Roux, Next to speak on the “Future of
Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Pharmacogenomics” was Professor
St Vincent’s Hospital Group, Dublin and Sir Munir Pirmohamed, NHS Chair of
Professor in Experimental Pathology at Pharmacogenetics at the University
University College Dublin, pre-recorded a of Liverpool. Professor Pirmohamed
talk entitled “New Therapies for the reminded us that pharmacogenomics is
Treatment of Obesity”. Professor le Roux the study of the variation in DNA and RNA
indicated that while we cannot make characteristics related to drug response
patients thin and happy, we can make and that the field is not a new one!
patients healthier and more functional. He indicated that drug efficacy is variable,
The World Health Organization defines with the vast majority of drugs effective in
obesity as an abnormal or excessive fat only 30-50% of patients. Adverse drug
accumulation that may impair health. reactions account for approximately 6.5%
The goal needs to change from the of hospital admissions, 15% of patients
cultural desire for thinness to focusing and 8,000 NHS beds, at a cost of
on the treatment of the disease of >£1billion/year. Most of us will carry at
obesity. He invited us to revise our least four pharmacogenomic variants.
perception of obesity from overeating as Taking warfarin as an example,
the cause, to obesity causing overeating. the effective daily dose can vary in a
Professor le Roux used the example of the patient from 0.5-20 mg. Professor
“Biggest Loser” reality TV show to remind Pirmohamed referred to his 2013 NEJM
us to “do no harm”. While the humiliation paper describing an RCT of genotype-
inflicted in the show did cause weight loss, guided dosing versus standard dosing
these people had a disease. Six years on, on anticoagulation control in patients
participants had regained weight and their starting warfarin. This study demonstrated
basal metabolic rate had not recovered – that pharmacogenetics-based dosing was
harm was inflicted. Self-directed lifestyle associated with a higher percentage of
changes are usually the first step in the time in the therapeutic INR range than
typical obesity treatment plan. This may standard dosing during warfarin
progress to professionally-directed lifestyle treatment initiation. Professor
change with medications, surgery or Pirmohamed discussed the PREPARE

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

42 | Meeting Reports

(Pre-emptive Pharmacogenomic Testing for Ukraine, economic recession, the ageing

Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions) study, population, staff shortages and NHS strike
on which he is the UK lead investigator. action. While all sounded bleak, Dr Croal
This study looks at the power of assured us that laboratory medicine is the
pre-emptive pharmacogenomics before powerhouse driving healthcare.
the prescription of common drugs. An estimated 95% of clinical interactions
The study demonstrated a reduction in involve lab tests, so we are well-positioned
adverse drug reactions using a 12-gene to make a difference. Appropriate test
pharmacogenetic panel. With this as requests enhance efficiency,
evidence, large-scale ubiquitous cost-effectiveness and the impact of
pharmacogenomic screening has the laboratories in optimising healthcare
potential to make prescribing drugs safer. pathways. To progress such initiatives
Professor Pirmohamed highlighted a and feed into national projects we need
recent joint report from the Royal to be able to collect and share data.
College of Physicians and the British Standardisation of test nomenclature
Pharmacological Society recommending would allow data collation, even if
the clinical implementation of generated in different locations.
pharmacogenomics in primary care, LIMS and order communications systems
secondary care and specialised centres. need better functionality. Dr Croal
Pharmacogenomics should become showed us interactive dashboards from
mainstream in the UK, but needs to be The Laboratory Atlas of Variation
accompanied by appropriate education, generated by the Scottish Government
training and clinician support. and NHS Scotland’s National Demand
Organisational change Optimisation Group. Within these
The afternoon session, all about dashboards, pathology requests can be
organisational change, was chaired by extrapolated into health boards,
Dr Heloise Tarrant, Acting Principal GP practices, or even sample types.
Biochemist in St Vincent’s University GP-specific dashboards could be utilised
Hospital, Dublin. Dr Bernie Croal, to educate GP practices on their test over
Consultant Chemical Pathologist at NHS or underuse.
Grampian, and current ACB President, New tests are essential in addition to
gave his talk entitled “Build Back with new applications for existing tests. The
Labs”. While we work in a different examples highlighted were FIT use on
public healthcare system in the Republic endoscopy waiting lists to triage patients,
of Ireland (the Health Service Executive or or utilising low troponins to discharge
HSE), many parallels can be drawn with patients while those at higher risk
the NHS experience. Dr Croal articulated progress to CCU. POCT is expanding and
well the stark times we face. COVID-19 diagnostic treatment centres are emerging
has had detrimental effects on a strained on the high street. Artificial intelligence
healthcare service in the UK. Post-COVID, can provide intelligent LFT, anaemia and
waiting lists are in the millions for services cardiac projects. We're seeing more results
such as Oncology and Endoscopy, directed to the patient with direct-to-
potentially taking years to clear. consumer testing. Laboratory reports
Emergency rooms, primary care and social traditionally set up for healthcare
care are all feeling the impact. Service professionals are now accessible to
demands are further exacerbated by long patients. Lab Tests Online will be of
Covid, supply chain shortages, the war in benefit here. Ultimately, laboratory staff

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Meeting Reports | 43

are the crucial factor for service mapping the change, the tools and
optimisation and we need to invest in management techniques required and
them to retain them. Allowing flexible cost-benefit analysis. The political strategy
working arrangements and post- encompasses stakeholder management,
retirement employment would also help dealing with power balance and assessing
address staff shortages. the readiness for change.
Tina Joyce, Programme Director from the Finally, the emotional end deals with
School of Healthcare Management at the people’s fears and concerns and provides
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and good communication and appropriate
based in Dublin, spoke about “Effective support. Ms Joyce informed us that
change in the Laboratory and beyond". effective leadership requires
It was an apt follow-on talk from Dr Croal understanding of people’s core needs and
and a practical guide to implementing motivations at work. People want to feel
organisational change. Tina reminded us that they belong, can contribute, feel
that “when the winds of change blow, valued and have control over their work
some people build walls and others build life. Emphatic communication is key in
windmills”. She illustrated the three types leading organisational change, people
of change: developmental change to should be informed of what to expect at
improve an existing situation, transitional each stage and they should be involved in
change to implement a known new state the process.
and transformational change to produce a With that we wrapped up a wonderfully
new state as yet unknown. Ms Joyce informative half-day meeting. While we
presented the “change map” of the steps may have been physically alone in
involved. Change commences with individual offices or homes, we were
determining the need and readiness for “virtually” together as an online
the change, describing the present state community, opportunistic and eager to
alongside the desired future state, the absorb all we could from the speakers.
requirements to get there, how to manage Perhaps for our next meeting we could
the transition period and how to embed produce a hybrid affair, allowing us to
the future state into the culture. Rational, gather together and network whilst still
political and emotional strategies are enabling us to tap into world-renowned
needed. Rational thinking includes speakers and leaders. n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

44 | BIVDA News

Industry Insights
Doris-Ann Williams, Chief Executive, BIVDA
an exciting new test using genomic
technology at point of need, the
GeneDrive MT-RNR1, which can detect the
babies with the genetic variant who can
be at high risk of hearing loss if treated
with aminoglycoside antibiotics such as
gentamicin. Using a cheek swab, this is the
first test which can give results in the
timeframe required to allow treatment
decisions to be made in very unwell babies
where time is critical. It’s estimated that
this test could save 200 babies a year from
unnecessary hearing loss.
Rather less exciting is the continued
lack of clarity and uncertainty about the
regulatory system in Great Britain.
The new regulations were originally
timetabled to be in place from 1 July 2023,
and this date has been delayed to
The first quarter of 2023 has been 1 July 2024. However, to meet this
incredibly busy for industry activity and deadline there are three pieces of
life, for me, seems to be very much back to legislation, Statutory Instruments (SIs),
how it was pre-pandemic. The most which must go through Parliament
exciting thing was having the first with the second two also needing to go
diagnostic test through the new Early through WHO procedures. The first SI is
Value Assessment process from NICE – already late so even the delayed date is at

What is the MedTech Directorate?

Established by DHSC in 2021 after significant supply chain disruption, caused by
COVID-19 in 2020, highlighted a need for sustainable and effective procurement
processes and strategies for medical devices. Its role covers how medical devices are
regulated, commissioned and used on an ongoing basis with six critical priorities:
ensuring resilient supply chains; delivering value for money; maintaining regulation
of safe, high-quality products; meeting sustainability goals; adopting innovation
for better clinical outcomes; and promoting UK interests in overseas markets.
David Lawson, a seasoned senior procurement executive, leads the Directorate.
David has over 20 years of experience working for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS
Foundation Trust as its Chief Procurement Officer. David has a wealth of experience
in supply chain innovation and has also won the Supply Chain Excellence Award
twice.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 BIVDA News | 45

risk. BIVDA is trying to ensure everyone PCNs using local activities to reach their
concerned is aware of the position populations such as working with
regarding regulation of IVDs, which clearly The Fishermen’s Mission to provide
includes all the professional users. It is health checks, at the Quayside, for the
likely that our regulation for IVDs will not convenience of local fishermen who work
vary too far from the EU IVD Regulation long and unpredictable hours. We also
(which came into force in May 2022 for all hope to see more testing done in
new products) but until the SIs are law this Community Diagnostic Centres, but key
cannot be certain. principles remain; successful testing needs
Meanwhile, back at the Department of support from the local NHS Pathology
Health and Social Care, a new MedTech Service and ideally there will be
Strategy has been published, under the biomedical scientists working in the
head of the MedTech Directorate, community to support testing.
David Lawson, which includes a diagnostic Lastly, at the end of March, the Infection
strategy. This is building on all the activity Management Coalition (IMC),
to try to reduce the waiting times and a partnership of diagnostics and Pharma
tackle opportunities to prevent disease industry with patient charities, won an
and improve early diagnosis. Following the award for the best use of public affairs in a
pandemic, the political will has increased healthcare campaign at the PR Week
to keep people out of hospital awards. BIVDA is proud to be a member of
unnecessarily using initiatives like Hospital the IMC, helping to improve the way
at Home and Virtual Wards as well as some infection is managed in the UK. n

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

46 | Crossword

ACB News Crossword

Set by Rugosa
Across Down
1 Some simple asepsis could suit (6) 1 Post bearing thanks for shared organ (8)
4 Settles as clinically diagnostic 2 Steer clear of unorthodox sedative –
observations (7) it’s banned (5)
9 Serbo-Croatian problem: sort out 3 Re notions about this multifunctional
description of a bacterial class (9) molecule – is it a hormone? (9)
10 Credit is returned after admitting lie 4 One can cause inebriation: school-leaver is
about antiquity (5) tipsy – serve no more! (7)
11 The round ceramic cell work describes 5 No gain in measuring incorrectly this
many energy-producing devices (15) kind of sample (5)
12 Worked out, ran, took varied diet (7) 6 Carbohydrate catalogue’s editing not
14 Single circuit, superlative data processor (6) top-drawer (9)
17 Lister’s antiseptic unhappily no help (6) 7 Fed up, the French corn cutter (6)
19 Some clientele mention a preferred 8 A second-class way in foreign parts (6)
environment (7) 13 Dry? Order our shandy! (9)
21 Hormone precursor seen in deodorant 15 Identity cover made money – pounds,
ingredients (15) no less (9)
24 A most unusual surgical opening (5) 16 Fine, subtle and elegant kind of solution (8)
25 Motive to discard sera from intensive 18 Psychiatric treatment of exceptional
care confusion (9) humility not unknown (7)
26 Doctor turns out bad medicine (7) 19 Leave to correct uncouth bearing for
27 Ring alarm about missing principles (6) hypogonad male (6)
20 Rising numbers rap minister (6)
22 Elated way to walk (2,3)
23 Leading outside source that is right for
willow basket material (5)

Solution for
February’s Crossword

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 Honorary Officers Nomination Form | 47

Association for Clinical Biochemistry

& Laboratory Medicine

Honorary Officers Nomination Form

We, the undersigned, being Members of the Association nominate:

Name ...............……………………………...........................................…..………………………....

Address ………………………………………...........................................……………………………

………………………………………...........................................……………………………………...

………………………………………...........................................……………………………………...

For election as Chair of the Immunology Professional Committee* / National Member

(delete as appropriate)

Name 1. ……………………...……….. ………………………………………….

Capitals Signature

Name 2. ………………………...…….. ………………………………………….

Capitals Signature

Name 3. ……………………...……….. ………………………………………….

Capitals Signature

I am willing to undertake the duties and responsibilities of this office if elected.

………………………...…….. ………………………………………….
Signature Date

*Please note only those in the Member and Honorary Member categories may be nominated
for the positions of Chair of the Immunology Professional Committee or National Member.
If there is more than one nominee for this position, a ballot will be held with all voting
members (see Bye-Laws of the ACB items 2 & 3 and 9).

This form, duly countersigned, to be returned to:

Membership Manager, Mike Lester (mike@acb.org.uk)
or by post to: Association for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine
130-132 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TU
no later than 2 May 2023.

Issue 682 | April 2023 | ACB News

 ACBNews
The Editor is responsible for the final content; advertisers are responsible
for the content of adverts. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the ACB.

Lead Editor Ms Elizabeth Ralph

Dr Gina Frederick Immunology, Camelia Botnar Laboratories
Pathology Laboratory Great Ormond Street Hospital
Royal Derby Hospital Email: e.ralph@nhs.net
Email: gina.frederick1@nhs.net
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Email: nicola.merrett@uhs.nhs.uk Tel: 0208-337-3749
Email: mail@prcassoc.co.uk
Dr Christopher Pitt
Department of Biochemistry ACB Headquarters
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Association for Clinical Biochemistry
Email: christopher.pitt@aapct.scot.nhs.uk & Laboratory Medicine
130-132 Tooley Street
Miss Wendy Armstrong London SE1 2TU
Clinical Blood Sciences Tel: 0207-403-8001
Croydon University Hospital Email: admin@acb.org.uk
Email: wendy.armstrong4@nhs.net
ACB President
Dr Becky Batchelor Dr Bernie Croal
Department of Clinical Biochemistry Email: president@acb.org.uk
Western General Hospital
Email: becky.batchelor@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk ACB CEO
Jane Pritchard
Dr Elaine Cloutman-Green Email: jane@acb.org.uk
Dept of Infection Prevention and Control
Great Ormond Street Hospital ACB Home Page
Email: elaine.cloutman-green@gosh.nhs.uk http://www.acb.org.uk

Dr Jenny Hamilton
Twitter: @TheACBNews
Department of Clinical Chemistry
Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Email: jenny.hamilton@southerntrust.hscni.net

Dr Katy Hedgethorne
Derriford Combined Laboratory
Derriford Hospital
Email: katy.hedgethorne@nhs.net