From biomedical scientist to trainer, branch chair and IBMS Council member. Zonya Jeffrey shares how getting involved with the IBMS has opened up opportunities to develop her career, represent other biomedical scientists and give back to the profession. “If you want our profession to be known, and people to know what we do, it’s definitely worth being part of the IBMS.” Learn more about Zonya’s story as we round off our Membership Journey series: bit.ly/4d79uoB

Do you ever find yourself wondering, “Am I good enough?” Join us for the next IBMS Support Hub on 14 October, where Debra Padgett will explore the reality of imposter syndrome and how it can affect confidence at any stage of your career. The session will look at practical strategies to challenge self-doubt, recognise your achievements and build greater confidence in your professional abilities. Find out more and book your place: bit.ly/47oF2ms

Fresh air: 10/10 🌬️✨ Remembering where you parked: still loading… 🧠🚗🔬

The HCPC is among UK regulators developing shared principles for the professional use of AI, with responsibility, transparency and public trust at the centre. Read more: ibms.org/resource/hcpc-joins…

Congratulations to Nousin Saba from NHSBT Manchester, and to Nadyya Ahmad, Modar Al Hariri, and Liam Owen from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, on passing their IBMS Registration Portfolios. A significant achievement and a key milestone in their journey as biomedical scientists. 🧪🔬 Well done – the future of biomedical science is in excellent hands! 👏 If you've passed your IBMS Portfolio recently, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Are you ready to take the next step in your biomedical science career through Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST)? Join the September Community of Practice for Advanced Practice and Consultant Biomedical Scientists (CAPCOP) event, Are You Ready for HSST? Hear personal stories from professionals currently on the HSST journey as they share their experiences, challenges and achievements. You'll also hear directly from the HSST Programme Manager for an overview of the programme, guidance on the application process, and insights into what candidates can expect. 📅 Wednesday 30 September 🕕 6:00pm 💻 Teams Whether you're thinking about applying or simply want to understand where HSST could take your career, this session lets you learn from those who know the journey first-hand. Register now: bit.ly/470P7px

We’re holding our first Harvey’s Lab Tours drop-in session on 7th October. The online session is for laboratories interested in running tours and looking to hear from people who have already been through the process. Gayle Johnstone from Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and Chloe Aman from University Hospital Southampton will share their experiences, what they’ve learned and their advice for getting started. There’ll also be plenty of time for questions. You can submit yours when you register, and we’ll use them to help shape the discussion. Register here: bit.ly/4iK6Ita

Join us tomorrow for a webinar introducing the Version 5 Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Specialist Portfolios. Donna Torrance, Sylvia McConnell and Sarah Dyer will take you through the updated portfolio, including: • How the portfolio is structured on Brightspace • The resources available to candidates and trainers • Examples of questions and suitable evidence • Practical guidance to help you work through the new requirements The session is designed for both candidates completing their Specialist Portfolio and those supporting them through the process. Book your free place: bit.ly/3TlfumS

AI is becoming an increasingly important part of healthcare, but how should regulators govern it? The MHRA has published 44 recommendations to update how regulators oversee AI products used in healthcare, including continuous monitoring of AI systems, greater transparency for patients, and stronger accountability for developers. These questions have clear implications for biomedical science. As AI becomes more integrated into diagnostics and laboratory practice, biomedical scientists will have an important role in ensuring new technologies are appropriately validated, quality assured and used with effective professional oversight. A new article from The Biomedical Scientist explores another part of this debate: research showing how AI chatbots can provide misleading health information. What safeguards should be in place as its use grows? Read the article and share your views in the comments: bit.ly/46yn7JQ

OneFile Essentials for Registration Training Portfolio Candidates will take place on 24th September at 12:30. This practical webinar, designed specifically for Registration Portfolio candidates, will cover the purpose of OneFile and how it supports completing the IBMS Registration Portfolio. Register here: bit.ly/46N8qm6

There’s a lot more to blood grouping than knowing your blood type.🩸 During her Harvey’s Lab Tour, Freya matched donors with patients and learned about compatibility and antibodies. Read about her visit to Sheffield Children’s Hospital: bit.ly/4AjoY2D

Biomedical science wasn’t the career Helen Markland originally had in mind. Now a Senior Biomedical Scientist and Training Lead, Helen shares how getting more involved with the IBMS has helped her connect with others, support trainees and give back to the profession. “Initially, I became an IBMS member to access their qualifications but I regret not being more involved earlier." Catch up on Helen’s Membership Journey here: bit.ly/4dNKu5X

Are you considering taking the next step in your biomedical science career through Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST)? Join the September Community of Practice for Advanced Practice and Consultant Biomedical Scientists (CAPCOP) event, Are You Ready for HSST? Hear personal stories from professionals currently on the HSST journey as they share their experiences, challenges and achievements. You’ll also hear directly from the HSST Programme Manager, with an overview of the programme, guidance on the application process and insights into what candidates can expect. 📅 Wednesday 30 September 🕕 6:00pm 💻 Teams Whether you’re thinking about applying or simply want to understand where HSST could take your career, this session is an opportunity to learn from those who know the journey first-hand. Register now: bit.ly/470P7px

How long should your laboratory keep records and specimens – and when can they be disposed of? Our latest IBMS Quality SAP webinar, Do I need to keep it?, hosted by Michael Chorlton, is now available to watch on demand. The session examines the changes introduced in Version 6 of the Royal College of Pathologists’ retention and storage guidance and shares a practical example of how one pathology service approached its gap analysis and implementation. Watch the webinar: bit.ly/3VeYnUn

Today is World Patient Safety Day 2026, focusing on safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) under the slogan ‘Safe care for life!’ For people living with long-term conditions such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, safe care depends on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and reliable monitoring throughout their care journey. Biomedical science makes that possible. Every day, biomedical scientists provide the test results that help healthcare professionals detect disease, make diagnoses, guide treatment and monitor how patients respond to care. Their work is vital to protecting patients from avoidable harm and supporting safer clinical decisions. This World Patient Safety Day, we recognise the expertise and commitment of biomedical scientists and laboratory professionals working behind the scenes to help deliver safe care throughout patients’ lives.

A new blood test needs just three microlitres of blood. By detecting damage to tiny blood vessels, researchers hope the technique could identify signs of heart and kidney disease earlier and eventually become part of routine biomedical laboratory testing. Read more: bit.ly/4iqY0Qi

The Thirlwall Inquiry has recommended that GIRFT guidance on laboratory insulin and C-peptide testing be made mandatory and applied nationally. The guidance sets out best practice for testing, interpretation and the timely communication of clinically significant results. Read more: bit.ly/4xwUMyl

Researchers at the University of Manchester are developing a pioneering test to detect signs of brain tumours in tear fluid. Professor Petra Hamerlik, who is leading the study at the University of Manchester, said she was 15 when she lost her father to a brain tumour that had taken eight months to diagnose. Around 500 people have now taken part in the NHS-approved study, with initial trials showing promising results. The research highlights the vital role of biomedical science in developing new approaches to earlier diagnosis and improving patient outcomes. Read the BBC article to discover how the test works and the story behind its development. bbc.in/3VvDrZj

OneFile Essentials for Registration Training Portfolio Candidates will take place on 24th September at 12:30. This practical webinar, designed specifically for Registration Portfolio candidates, will cover the purpose of OneFile and how it supports completing the IBMS Registration Portfolio. Register here: bit.ly/46N8qm6