Our history

As the complexity of the science which informs modern laboratory medicine has developed, so has the organisation.

Founded in 1912 as the Pathological and Bacteriological Laboratory Assistants’ Association (PBLAA), the IBMS has undergone a number of different names in its history.

Our involvement in education, training and standard setting has grown with the knowledge and skills required of those working in biomedical science.

Timeline

1912

The Pathological and Bacteriological Laboratory Assistants’ Association (PBLAA) is founded by Albert Norman.

1942

The PBLAA is transformed into a limited company - the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology (IMLT) which is officially registered on 17th November with offices at 308 Dewsbury Road, Wakefield, Yorks.

Secretary Mr. S. J. Denyer says its formation "indicates the desire of the laboratory technician to meet the increased demands of his profession and to acquire the professional status already accorded to other scientific workers".

1950s

The first triennial conference takes place in London in 1952.

In 1954 the NHS names the IMLT as the qualifying body for medical laboratory technicians and names their Final Examination as the primary qualification required to practice.

1975

The IMLT becomes the Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (IMLS), to support its members increased scientific knowledge and skills and to introduce a more meaningful title than ‘medical laboratory technician’.

1989

Working with The Royal College of Pathologists, the IMLS devises an inspection scheme for the accreditation of laboratories. The scheme recognises that pathologists and biomedical scientists should inspect laboratories jointly - which becomes standard practice.

1995

The first biennial IBMS Congress event is held at Birmingham’s ICC, where it still continues to be held. The event is universally viewed as Europe’s largest biomedical science conference, which attracts over 3,000 people.

2004

Following a major overhaul of the NHS grading and salary structure by the Department of Health (Agenda for Change), the IBMS develops a series of certificates, diplomas and examinations.

The Science Council awards the IBMS with Licensed Member Body status, allowing it to grant Chartered Scientist (CSci) status to appropriately qualified and experienced members.

2017

The Biomedical Scientist launches as the new IBMS monthly membership magazine, later being recognised with prestigious industry awards winning Best Membership Magazine and Best Magazine for a Professional Association.

The first Biomedical Science Day takes place on 19 July (Albert Norman's birthday). Now celebrated in June across hundreds of hospitals in the UK and abroad, the event aims to raise the profile of biomedical science and to highlight the role of staff who work at the heart of healthcare.

2022

Following one of its most impactful years to date, The British Journal of Biomedical Science (BJBS) becomes gold open access. The BJBS’s impact factor grew from 2.712 in 2019 to 3.829 in 2020 - ranking it 6th out of 29 journals in the Medical Laboratory Technology JCR category.

1920s

A formal motion admitting women to PBLAA membership is passed on 4th February, although there appear to be women in some form of membership prior to this.

First recorded conference is held in Liverpool in 1924.

1948

The foundation of the National Health Service (NHS) sees the IMLT embarking on political positioning and representation on behalf of its members, seeking to increase their pay and for an examination system to be put in place to join the profession.

1960s

The IMLT Coat of Arms are officially granted on 1st November 1960 featuring the motto ‘Disce ut proficias’ – ‘Learn in order to progress’.

With the expansion in samples submitted and processed by NHS pathology services, as well as the introduction of automation, greater pressure is put on laboratories to ensure that their results are timely and accurate.

Working with other professional bodies and the Department of Health, the IMLT introduces quality assurance schemes and offers accreditation of laboratories.

1980s

The IMLS introduces a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme that provides a range of educational activities designed to keep members up to date and to provide evidence of reliability and quality in their practice.

1994

The IMLS becomes the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) following a broadening of the membership to include academia, research and teaching, veterinary pathology, and pharmaceutical research, better reflecting the broad membership base and removing the perception that it only represents laboratory staff practising in the NHS.

1997

Jocelyn Germain is elected as the first female IBMS President. She is the 23rd president and the last to stand on a three-year term, as it reduces to two years after.

2012

The IBMS enters its centenary committed to supporting its members and their profession through advocacy, education and standard setting. While the wording of the mission statement may have changed over the past 100 years, the organisation has always remained “dedicated to the promotion, development and delivery of excellence in biomedical science”.

2018

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approves the IBMS Clinical Scientist Certificate of Attainment to enable the IBMS to recognise high level practice for registering as a clinical scientist.