Lab staff to raise awareness about their work

Biomedical science staff at the General Hospital are taking part in a national event aimed at celebrating the work they do to identify, research, monitor and treat disease.

The 70-strong staff who work within the pathology department are taking part in the third annual Biomedical Science Day on Thursday 20 June. The awareness day aims to inform the public and empower patients by telling them about practices in biomedical science as well as to celebrate a profession that is at the heart of healthcare.

As part of the celebrations, the laboratory at the Hospital will be opening its doors to the media on Wednesday 19 June to showcase the work that the doctors, scientists and support staff within the department carry out on a day-to-day basis.

And on the awareness day itself, Health staff will be invited to go on tours of the laboratory to learn more about the tests that are carried out which help diagnose and treat patients. There will also be a stall in the Out-Patients department where staff will explain to the public about the work that they do.

Adrian O’Keefe, pathology manager, said: "About 70 percent of patients are diagnosed due to the work carried out in laboratories but many people do not know the work that biomedical science staff do. Biomedical science is such a varied profession and is integral to helping to diagnose and treat patients.

"We hope that by taking part in this annual day we can help everybody understand the vital role of biomedical science in healthcare."

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf added: "Our laboratory is the engine room for healthcare in the island. I commend our dedicated biomedical staff who work hard to provide doctors with the answers they need to treat us."