Harvey's Lab Tours

11/06/2026

What happens to a sample once it leaves the ward?

Recently, 14 year old Lily found out for herself during a Harvey's Lab Tour at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, following the journey of her own sample through the laboratory and getting a inside look at the science supporting her care.

As one of the older young people to take part in a Harvey's Lab Tour, Lily was able to ask plenty of questions and get a deeper understanding of the tests she experiences as a patient.

Read Lily's story: https://bit.ly/4415ZLn

04/06/2026

🧸 Every teddy tells a story.

As we celebrate 10 years of Biomedical Science Day, we'd like to thank the biomedical scientists who make Harvey's Lab Tours possible.

By welcoming young patients and their families into their laboratories, they help demystify healthcare, answer questions and create lasting memories during what can often be a challenging time.

Here's to a decade of celebrating the profession .

Click here to see how biomedical scientists across the UK are celebrating : https://bit.ly/4uSf3y4

28/05/2026

One week to go until we celebrate 10 years of 💙

Recently, Gayle Johnstone and the team at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary welcomed three young visitors into the laboratory for their lab tours.

The visit included microscopes, pipetting, pod-system penguins and plenty of questions, with one young visitor even getting to celebrate their birthday in the lab 🎉

Experiences like these help children feel more comfortable around hospitals and blood tests, while giving families the chance to meet the biomedical scientists working behind the scenes in patient care

Read more: https://bit.ly/430MTEQ

20/05/2026

Little lab coats, curious questions, and plenty of smiles 💙

In our latest blog, trainee Biomedical Scientist Andrew Mathews shares why no two Harvey’s Lab Tours are ever the same - and what young patients have taught him during his time supporting the programme at University Hospital Southampton.

“Every little hero we’ve had through the doors has been a wonder.”

A really lovely reflection on the magic of seeing the laboratory through a child’s eyes ✨

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tOj31k

07/05/2026

A heart-shaped neutrophil under the microscope ❤️

Isaac and Isla recently visited the Blood Sciences laboratories at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for their Harvey’s Lab Tour, where they took part in fake sample making, colourful reaction experiments and microscopy activities.

For Isaac, who still finds blood tests worrying after multiple medical procedures, the visit helped make future appointments feel a little less intimidating.

Read the full story 👇
https://bit.ly/4esF7KN

30/04/2026

What happens to your blood sample after it leaves the ward?

Alistair and Theo visited Medway Maritime Hospital to find out for themselves 🔬

They got stuck into hands-on experiments, learned how blood cells act like 'delivery trucks', and saw each step of the process up close.

Back on the ward, they were already explaining it all to the staff supporting their care.

A big thank you to the team who made their visit so special 💙

Read more: https://bit.ly/48zanUG

29/04/2026

Congratulations to Amelia on an incredible career and a well-deserved long service award 👏

A wonderful contribution to haematology over many years, and we’re especially grateful for her support with Harvey’s Lab Tours 💙

🎉 Celebrating Long Service at UHS 🎉

We’re delighted to recognise Amelia, Senior (Advanced) Biomedical Scientist in Haematology (Laboratory Medicine), and her amazing career at UHS, which began in 1996.

Starting out as an auxiliary nurse, Amelia went on to train and specialise in Haematology, building extensive experience across multiple sites, including specialist transplant work and an international secondment to the Falkland Islands.

Since becoming an Advanced Biomedical Scientist in 2010, Amelia continues to make a huge impact through quality management, supervision, and education, including her valued involvement in Harvey's Lab Tours.

Amelia’s long‑service award was presented by Steve Harris, our Chief People Officer, celebrating a truly outstanding contribution.

Thank you, Amelia, for your dedication and commitment 💙

22/04/2026

“The doctors are trying to put together a puzzle as to what’s wrong with you, and we’re the ones that give them the missing puzzle pieces.”

Hannah Scholes is helping young people understand what biomedical science really looks like, and why it matters.

Through outreach, she’s making the work that happens behind the lab doors easier to connect with and more visible.

At Harvey’s Lab Tours, we see the same impact when young patients visit the lab and begin to understand the role biomedical science plays in their care.

Read Hannah’s story 👇

https://bit.ly/48L6DPM

15/04/2026

After lots of hospital visits, Alice got the chance to see a different side of her care at Royal United Hospitals Bath 💙

She made her own blood film, looked at her blood cells under the microscope, and even tried her hand at pipetting.

Thank you to the team for such a special visit.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3QGLSP5

08/04/2026

Oliver had been waiting a long time for his Harvey’s Lab Tour, and it was well worth it 💙

During his visit to the Blood Sciences lab at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, Oliver explored different departments, learning how samples move through the lab and support patient care.

He asked lots of questions, recognised a familiar face from a previous event, and was especially fascinated by transfusion.

Since the visit, Oliver has been role-playing as a biomedical scientist at home - a reminder of just how powerful these experiences can be for young patients.

A huge thank you to the team for making it such a special day, and to Oliver and his mum for sharing their story.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4sYmBOP