Statements and responses

IBMS responds to Thérèse Coffey MP's policy paper ‘Our Plan for Patients’

Following the suspension of a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Wolverhampton, the IBMS publicly reiterates the need for a regulated workforce and laboratory accreditation for mass testing centres.

The IBMS wishes to provide clarification on the Becton Dickinson shortage of blood test tubes affecting the NHS and the implications for pathology services.

In response to service need, and with the support from all UK health departments, the IBMS and the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) have jointly developed and introduced a UK wide recognised training and examination framework to enable the scientist workforce to take on certain functions that have previously been the sole responsibility of medically qualified staff.

Royal College of Pathology 2017 workforce census finds staffing issues in NHS histopathology departments

NHS England, following advice from the IBMS, RCPath and BAC, has released a statement on HPV primary screening across England

The IBMS is aware that the High Court ruling regarding Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba has caused some anxiety amongst our members.

A recent article reports on exposed breaches in UK laboratory safety

The IBMS outlines and assesses the principal rapid testing options currently available for the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).

The IBMS outlines and assesses the principal testing options currently available for the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).

IBMS Council delivers a position statement on the need for registered staff and accreditation in laboratories doing COVID-19 testing

The IBMS issues a response to The Independent’s news story “Failing the test: Slow start and flawed decisions in Britain’s coronavirus testing have cost lives, warn health leaders”.

IBMS President Allan Wilson has written a message to our members after a meeting with key stakeholders

As we await the government’s announcement on its 100,000 ‘test’ target, the IBMS members and laboratory staff are working tirelessly to prepare for the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19: IBMS statement on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in pathology laboratories

Serology testing will play a significant part in getting the UK out of lockdown

With the emergence of mass testing centres, it must be restated that it is a global supply shortage holding NHS biomedical scientists back, not a lack of capacity

The day after Matt Hancock MP promises 100,000 tests a day, we outline the current situation with COVID-19 testing in the UK

BBC report that hospitals are being urged to use "spare laboratory space" to test self-isolating NHS staff

The IBMS, in collaboration with professional bodies RCPath, ACP and ACB, have issued joint guidance on the prioritisation of pathology testing during the COVID-19 pandemic

IBMS Chief Executive Jill Rodney has written a letter of support for our members seeking education provision for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Advice on students completing an integrated placement for an IBMS accredited Applied Biomedical Science or Healthcare Science degrees

The IBMS issues specification for biomedical scientists who could be deployed to support the diagnostic virology laboratory service during the SARS-2/COVID-19 pandemic

The UK government is moving to greatly increase testing capacity for COVID-19

The IBMS understands that this consultation is in respect of regulated healthcare professionals in the UK not covered by a state-backed indemnity scheme and as such, does not apply to the majority of biomedical scientists. However, there are biomedical scientists that may practice in a private capacity or be employed by an employer not covered by the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts or by an equivalent provision.

Comments from the IBMS on developing a patient safety strategy for the NHS

Early cancer diagnosis and targeted screening feature as central points in the 10-year plan to modernise the NHS in England