Laboratory Management
Programme sponsor
Gender: lets talk about sex... and the implications for pathology
Gender: lets talk about sex... and the implications for pathology
Laboratory Management
Abstract
Blood Transfusion follows binary guidelines designed to protect against the formation of allo red cell antibodies capable of causing Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn. For the first time, in 2021, the England and Wales Census included a gender identity question, ‘Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?’. 0.5% of respondents answered ‘No’ (262 000 people) of which 48 000 identified as a trans man, 30 000 as non-binary and 18 000 as another gender identity. Thus, there is a small, but significant, population of Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) individuals in society.
What are the implications for Blood Transfusion? There are several scenarios:
The lab could receive a sample labelled male and issue blood components which fail to meet the requirements of Kell negative and, if applicable, CDE negative red cells to someone with childbearing potential.
The lab could receive an antenatal sample labelled male and the LIMS does not allow staff to perform all the same testing and product issuing as it would for a female.
Some TGD individuals who have transitioned may get a new NHS number. Lab staff may be unaware and lab records are not merged which means all future transfusion requests are relying solely on antibody screening results with no historical transfusion information.
The clinical consequences of these errors are missed incompatibilities, special requirements not met (SRNM) errors and immediate or delayed transfusion reactions with a potential for major morbidity or mortality. All the circumstances described above illustrate that provision of healthcare is not uniform for all patients in the UK and could be described as indirect discrimination - a policy or practice that is identical for all people but has an unfair or disproportionate effect on a people with a protected characteristic.
Speakers
Dr Alex Liversidge
HR and OH departments – how to work with them to achieve the best results
Managing change with compassion
Managing flexible working and working from home requests
Managing flexible working and working from home requests
Laboratory Management
Abstract
Uptake of flexible and hybrid working has grown over the past few years. There is now a need to discuss how employers can accommodate and build a positive culture towards flexible working. Flexible working can help with retention, development and well-being of the workforce, the question is how can we do this and still deliver the best service to users.
Speakers
Satinder Boparai
Generation X,Y,Z: Ageism in the workplace and its impact on service delivery
Continuity planning – building resilience into your workforce and service
Continuity planning – building resilience into your workforce and service
Laboratory Management
Abstract
Problems can happen when we least expect them. Loss of a key building, a cyber-attack or a system failure, interruption to a utility supply, severe weather, critical equipment failure, supply chain disruption or even a significant loss of staff. Sooner or later every organization will need to deal with issues like these and if there's no plan the outcomes could be far worse than they need to be. This is why services must maintain a critical incident response plan and a wide range of business continuity plans, having a structured approach for managing these unplanned disruptions.
Business continuity planning is just one part of a much bigger risk management process. We prepare for emergencies, not just because we're legally required to do so, but because patients, donors, and the wider NHS rely on our services being available every day.
There are four main scenarios all good business continuity plans should consider:
- Loss of staff
- Loss of the workplace
- Loss of equipment and consumables and
- Loss of ICT systems
The process should be one of a cycle of preparedness including
- Risk Management or identification
- Planning
- Training
- Exercising
- Lessons identified
Speakers
Chris Elliott
CE and UKCA certification – what they mean and the implications for pathology
CE and UKCA certification – what they mean and the implications for pathology
Laboratory Management
Abstract
There are complex regulatory changes taking place across the UK and the EU, which could have a significant impact on laboratory services. This session will cover what you need to know to keep on top of this and know what actions you should be taking for compliance.
Speakers
Stuart Angell
Restore and recover: Be like bamboo and bend with the wind
Restore and recover: Be like bamboo and bend with the wind
Laboratory Management
Abstract
We live in times that seem increasingly challenging, year on year. Leaders, managers, supervisors and staff are all under pressure to do more with less in a troubled NHS. This pressure can build up and lead to stress.
This session looks at stressors and recognising them, working on dealing with recognising, controlling and developing resilience. It also encourages people to be kind to themselves and not keep driving on. This session combines theory with practical tips.
Speakers
Sue Alexander MSc MSc MBA CSci FIBMS CBiol FRSB MIHM MCQI CQP
