Blog Archives
BBTS2017: Science, Diagnostics and Technology Sessions
by Julie Staves, Blood Transfusion Lab Manager, John Radcliffe Hospital I’m looking forward to both sessions within the science, diagnostics and technology theme at the BBTS Annual Conference this year. The sessions are focusing on different aspects of transfusion which should be of... continued
Published: 19 Jul 2017
Don't leave it too late
The BBTS Annual Conference is incredible value for money! Our programme is packed full of new discoveries, solid research and best practice advice delivered by over 100 brilliantly knowledgeable speakers from around the world. Registration will remain open right up until the event... continued
Published: 05 Jul 2017
BBTS 2017 - Abstract Deadline Extended
NEW ABSTRACT DEADLINE: Thursday 1st June Due to the recent cyber attack affecting NHS services throughout the UK, the deadline for abstract submissions has been extended. In the interest of fairness, we have taken the decision to extend the deadline. This will ensure those affected by the... continued
Published: 18 May 2017
Non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal rhesus-D status - putting the
Courtesy of NICE You may already be aware that last November, NICE published guidance on non-invasive prenatal testing for fetal rhesus-D status . This guidance recommended a new blood test for all pregnant women with a rhesus-D negative blood type, which could help thousands avoid... continued
Published: 25 Apr 2017
One Thing Leads To Another
by Eluned Cook, BBTS Membership Supervisor IMPROVE YOUR CAREER! CHANGE YOUR LIFE! How does it feel reading those statements? Encouraging and motivating? Or overwhelming and exhausting? We might want to make a big change in our life but the prospect of such a huge undertaking paralyses us. We... continued
Published: 05 Apr 2017
BBTS 2017: How to write amazing abstracts
As we launch the opening of our 2017 abstract submission system, we thought it would be handy to put together a few top tips to help your submission stand out and increase your chances of it being published. Accepted presentations, whether oral or poster, will be printed in the Journal... continued
Published: 08 Mar 2017
Quizzers Assemble
The BBTS President, Jonathan Wallis, and President Elect, Bill Chaffe, invite you to join them for an evening of great food, a little learning and exciting quizzing! Round up your colleagues and enter a team to one of our BBTS Quiz Nights. Taking place across two evenings, the quiz nights will... continued
Published: 08 Feb 2017Only 6 days to go to apply for the 2017 CSO Healthcare Science Awards
Message on behalf of NHS England Please Note: Entries can be self-nominated or nominated by colleagues. The awards, now in their 11th year, feature some new categories which stand alongside our prestigious Healthcare Scientist of the Year award and Healthcare Science Rising Stars. ... continued
Published: 24 Jan 2017
Rose’s Random Reflections: Take a look in the mirror
As usual this morning I check myself over in the mirror before I leave for the day. What does my reflection show? Shoes ok? No, too heavy, change for a lighter pair. Hair tidy? Reasonable, apply a little wax and it’s a bit better. Oh no! Another grey hair and couple of extra lines on my... continued
Published: 03 Jan 2017
BBTS 2016: Plenary IV
The demands and problems of Blood, Bleeding and Anaemia could not be more poignant than in patients who suffer Post Partum Haemorrhage. PPH is a devastating complication of birth, with threatening complications and real risk of dying. How, should this be managed, is it preventable and problems... continued
Published: 20 Sep 2016
BBTS 2016 Blood Bank Technology SIG
by Steve Tucker - Chair This year we are focusing on two topics: Blood Bank Technology – “Good, Bad or just different?” We all know there is not a 'perfect solution' to our technology needs, but hopefully we can have some debate on what really matters? We have all... continued
Published: 23 Aug 2016BBTS 2016: TeamHaem- Promoting education
By Jennifer Young TeamHaem will be presenting at the British Blood Transfusion Society conference this year. TeamHaem was established by a group of Haematology Trainees in the North East. Our interest lies in promoting education outside of the classroom, making learning easily accessible and... continued
Published: 23 Aug 2016
BBTS2016: Back to basics
By Robina Qureshi, Chief Examiner, BBTS I would think almost everyone has encountered that feeling when sitting in a presentation… you know… you’re happily bowling along with the presenter’s first few slides. And then… whoosh! Here’s the instant where you... continued
Published: 17 Aug 2016BBTS2016: Highlights from the Plenaries - Focus on Keynote Speakers
By Kate Pendry This year we have fantastic international faculty and in this week’s blog we are focusing on our keynote speakers in the plenary sessions. Plenary I – Wednesday 21st September | 5:00pm The first plenary on day one of the conference will put the spotlight on new... continued
Published: 11 Aug 2016BBTS2016: Your Presentation Sucks Because Science
We are delighted to host Ross Fisher at #bbts2016. Ross is an internationally acclaimed expert on presentation skills and he has prepared this blog for us as you start to think of developing your presentation for the meeting. If you want to hear more come to his session on Day 3, Friday 23rd... continued
Published: 11 Aug 2016BBTS2016: Harvey's Gang
By Malcolm Robinson Chief BMS Blood Transfusion, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust I am looking forward to telling you a story about a boy, an inquisitive 7 year old lad, Harvey Buster Baldwin, who inspired me and reinvigorated the team to provide a better service to patients. ... continued
Published: 10 Aug 2016BBTS2016: It’s all about stem cells!
by Catherine Howell Chief Nurse – Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services, NHSBT Our Special Interest Group meeting is all about stem cells. Come and join us to find out more about the journey of a stem cell from when and how it is collected, to a bit of science about the future and how... continued
Published: 09 Aug 2016BBTS2016: Support Worker Debate
By Julie Staves Coping with the day to day staffing issues has always been an important part of running a transfusion laboratory. This usually involves negotiations with your colleagues in Haematology and maybe in Chemistry too. In recent times, the pressures on staffing has only increased... continued
Published: 03 Aug 2016
#BBTS2016 - Programme Categories Explained
The 2016 BBTS Annual Conference Scientific Programme has evolved. This year each session has been assigned at least one category from the following headings: Transfusing Wisely | Blood Safety | Education | Quality | Donors and Blood Donation | Diagnostics, Science and Technology The... continued
Published: 05 Jul 2016
A New Breed of Networking
by Rachel Moss, Transfusion Practitioner Transfusion Practitioners are not known for being shy retiring people but when attending a national conference on your own it is sometimes difficult to start interacting with transfusion colleagues, particularly if you don’t know who they are. This... continued
Published: 28 Jun 2016
#BBTS2016 A Foreword
I am really looking forward to welcoming you to the BBTS Annual Conference in Harrogate in September. This year we are working with Conference Partners who are helping us to deliver a fresh approach to the organisation of the meeting. We will even have an ‘app’ and will be... continued
Published: 02 Jun 2016
NEWS: NHS uses virtual reality technology to attract new blood donors
Members of the public encouraged to give virtual blood donation to see the life-saving transformation of patients before their eyes Campaign features three people whose lives have been saved by blood transfusions First time an augmented reality app has been used in this way to trigger... continued
Published: 19 May 2016
Do You Qualify?
BBTS is committed to supporting the transfusion community and advancing the study of blood transfusion. One of the most tangible ways in which we meet this commitment is our bursary programme. BBTS offers a number of financially assisted places to attend our Annual Conference spanning three... continued
Published: 16 May 2016#Transfusionin3words
What does Transfusion mean to you? BBTS is challenging all transfusion professionals to help raise awareness and support the transfusion community by tweeting three small words. Which three words can you think of that encapsulate why you love the field of transfusion? Download our photo... continued
Published: 12 May 2016
Good news for nurses and TPs!
The Post-Grad Cert / Dipl / MSc Advanced Specialist Blood Transfusion is now open to applicants. It’s true! Applications are now being accepted for September 2016. This isa postgraduate programme in Advanced Specialist Blood Transfusion aimed at nurses and transfusion practitioners. It... continued
Published: 28 Apr 2016NEWS: NUS Discount for Specialist Certificate Students
BBTS is pleased to announce that UK based Specialist Certificate students can now register for an NUS Extra Discount card. The discount card can save pounds when students buy from online and high street clothing stores, travel companies, restaurants, bars and much more across the UK. Partners... continued
Published: 05 Apr 2016
NEWS: NHS Blood and Transplant appoints new Medical and Research Direc
Dr Gail Miflin has been appointed as Medical and Research Director at NHS Blood and Transplant. She will take up the post on 1st June. Dr Miflin qualified from Cambridge University and trained in haematology in Nottingham and Yorkshire. She joined NHS Blood and Transplant in 2010 having... continued
Published: 09 Mar 2016Applications Open!
Applications for the NHS Higher Specialist Scientific Training programme are now open. The HSST is open to registered Clinical Scientists. For more information and details on how to apply visit: http://www.nshcs.org.uk/hsst-recruitment Volunteers are also required for short-listing and... continued
Published: 02 Mar 2016
Secure your free place at our 2016 Annual Conference with a BBTS Bursa
The BBTS Bursary (formerly known as the Junior Bursary) allows those working in transfusion at AFC Band 6 or below (or the equivalent) to experience the BBTS Annual Conference all expenses paid! Each year the British Blood Transfusion Society is delighted to offer a limited number of junior... continued
Published: 07 Jan 2016Sweet Dreams are Made of This
Musings on personalized medicine | by Pat Letendre September's blog derives from increased marketing of medical treatments and clinical laboratory tests as personalized medicine tailored to the individual characteristics and needs of each patient. Seems like a great idea, right? After all,... continued
Published: 24 Sep 2015The early days
Musings on educating young TM professionals | By Pat Letendre August's blog was stimulated by the UK's Annual SHOT Report, which has featured in past blogs many times. SHOT has long been the best hemovigilance program anywhere and is a treasure trove of educational goodies we can all learn... continued
Published: 18 Aug 2015Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be hempaths
Musings on evolving TM careers by Pat Letendre July's blog was stimulated by a paper in ASH 's journal, Blood (see Further Reading): Wallace PJ, Connell NT, Abkowitz JL. The role of hematologists in a changing United States health care system. Blood. 2015 Apr 16;125(16):2467-70. Epub 2015... continued
Published: 29 Jul 2015
NEWS: In-man trials of manufactured blood within two years
LAB produced red blood cells are set to be transfused into humans by 2017, NHS Blood and Transplant announces. The landmark in-man clinical trials of manufactured blood form a key part of the blood and organ service’s 2020 Research and Development programme. Published 25/6/15, the... continued
Published: 08 Jul 2015NHSBT’s 2015-20 Plan
Letter from Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive of NHSBT NHS Blood and Transplant will be cutting the price of blood by almost £2 per unit to £120 as part of our plans for the next five years. This will save the NHS £3m per annum, equivalent to 100 newly qualified nurses or 258 hip... continued
Published: 09 Jun 2015Patient Blood Management Newsletter
This is the fourth edition of the Patient Blood Management newsletter produced by the NHSBT Patient Blood Management Team. This edition of the newsletter focuses on the appropriate use of Group ORhD Negative Red Cells. PBM Newsletter #4 ... continued
Published: 09 Jun 2015Heart of Gold
Musing on sucking $ from body tissues | By Pat Letendre May's blog was motivated by three items in TraQ's May newsletter : Use of 'liquid gold' in two news items and an EU-funded report that showed 'a clear tension between the plasma derivative (PD) and the blood/blood components sectors'.... continued
Published: 27 May 2015Patient Blood Management - Newsletter
The purpose of these newsletters is to provide information about a range of topical transfusion-related issues,as well as updates about key areas of interest to those involved in the safe and appropriate use of blood and its alternatives. Issue 1 - July 2014 Issue 2 - Sept 2014 Issue... continued
Published: 05 May 2015While my guitar gently weeps
Musings on the seduction of technology | By Pat Letendre April's blog focuses on news items from TraQ's latest newsletter that have a commonality. The main item deals with a molecular assay to identify 35 red cell antigens from 11 blood groups. The other, included to illustrate the... continued
Published: 30 Apr 2015Bursary Opportunity
Oliver Memorial Trainee Bursaries | Royal College of Pathologists Transfusion Medicine Sub Committee Background Percy Lane Oliver won international renown for creating the world’s first voluntary blood donor service in 1921. Following his death in 1944, funds were raised by his... continued
Published: 14 Apr 2015I Will Remember You
Musing on retiring TM professionals & their patients | by Pat Letendre This month's blog was triggered by ongoing retirements of longtime colleagues, medical laboratory technologists (clinical lab scientists) who work in transfusion services, blood centres, and Canada's provincial blood... continued
Published: 31 Mar 2015Call for Speakers - Red Cell SIG
The Red Cell Special Interest Group is calling for speakers to be included in the programme for their October Meeting in Bristol on 30th October. The Red Cell SIG covers all aspects of erythropoiesis and maturation of red cells, red cell shape and mechanics in health and disease, and the... continued
Published: 03 Mar 2015News: Healthcare Sciences Training Capacity Survey
What is the survey about? Health Education England (HEE) in conjunction with the Centre for Workforce Intelligence (CfWI) is conducting an online survey to identify and assess the opportunities for improvement in training capacity across healthcare science (HCS) training institutions. It aims... continued
Published: 26 Feb 2015Islands in the stream
Fun musings on TM's crusade to cut costs - there's an app for that! | by Pat Letendre Updated : 14 Feb. 2015 This blog derives from an article in the Jan. 3, 2015 issue of The Economist : 'The future of work, there's an app for that' Subtitle: 'Freelance workers available at a moment's... continued
Published: 19 Feb 2015Angel
Musings on communication errors in TM | by Pat Letendre This month's blog derives from news items appearing in TraQ 's monthly newsletter involving Jehovah's Witnesses in New Zealand (NZ) and the UK, and the availability of online legal summaries. In particular, the blog features a case from... continued
Published: 16 Dec 2014NEWS: ISBT Launch Benchmark
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) has published the first in a series of benchmark © guidance documents for pathology services. The IBMS benchmark © guidance documents; Staffing and Workload in Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Services , Supervision of Biomedical Support... continued
Published: 03 Dec 2014To Dream the Impossible Dream
Musing on TM Research | by Pat Letendre November's blog is based on an abstract from AABB's 2014 meeting in Transfusion. I always read 'Education and Training' abstracts (one of the smaller sections - go figure!), and this one caught my eye: A14-030D: Chargé SB, Walsh GM. Bridging the... continued
Published: 02 Dec 2014NEWS: Submit your abstracts now for AHCS Congress 2014
Healthcare scientists are being asked to come forward with abstracts for poster presentations at the first Academy for Healthcare Science Congress being held on 8-9 December 2014. Closing date for submission 17 Nov . About the AHCS Congress The Inaugural AHCS Congress “ Passionate... continued
Published: 11 Nov 2014The Way We Were
(More Musings on TM history) | By Pat Letendre For several reasons, I'm more than ever motivated to promote blogging and wish more transfusion medicine (TM) professionals would blog to share what they've learned over a lifetime. The blog's title derives from a Barbra Streisand classic. Blogs... continued
Published: 17 Oct 2014Call for Young Black Londoners to Give Blood
YOUNG, black Londoners are being urged to step-forward as the next generation of blood donors in a drive to boost life-saving supplies. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) wants to recruit 7,000 new black donors by 2020 – and currently half the country’s black population lives in the... continued
Published: 14 Oct 2014Stand By Me
Musings on effects of errors on transfusion professionals by Pat Letendre Recently, I browsed the Speaker abstracts and Poster abstracts for the BBTS annual conference to be held 24-26 Sept. in Harrogate, UK. The abstracts were published online 26 August 2014 as free full text. At the same... continued
Published: 10 Sep 20142 Week Countdown
The 2014 BBTS Annual Conference opens its doors in just two short weeks! Preparations are in full swing at BBTS HQ as we gear up to deliver the 32nd BBTS Annual Conference. This year we're heading back to the picturesque town of Harrogate (and secretly hoping we get a spare hour to visit the... continued
Published: 10 Sep 2014The Way We Were(Musings on TM history and its lessons for today)
By Pat Letendre This month's blog discusses 3 recent news items (and associated scientific papers) related to men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV risks, and blood donation, plus a paper written by Canadian transfusion medicine experts on Canada's perspective on donor criteria for MSM. The... continued
Published: 14 Aug 2014Donation of Starting Material for Cell-Based Advanced Therapies: a SaB
A letter from Professor John Forsythe, Chair of SaBTO, and Professor Marc Turner, Chair of the Cell-Based Advanced Therapies working group. We would like to bring to your notice a review recently completed by the independent scientific Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and... continued
Published: 08 Jul 2014NEWS: SaBTO Committee Vacancies
SaBTO advises UK Health Departments and ministers on the safety of blood for transfusion and organs, cells (including stem cells and gametes) and tissues used for transplantation. They currently have 6 vacancies available on their committee and are taking applications from interested parties. ... continued
Published: 17 Jun 2014Do you Believe?
(Musings on cloud-based software services by a transfusion medicine techno heretic) June's blog is motivated by news that the UK's NHSBT has consolidated Human Resources using cloud-based technology: HR cloud transfusion at NHS Blood and Transplant (28 May 2014) The story appeared in... continued
Published: 13 Jun 2014
5 Reasons to keep your CPD portfolio up to date
The importance of CPD should not be underestimated. As practicing professionals, it is a career-long obligation to keep an up to date record of professional activities relating to your field of expertise. We've put together 5 reasons that you should be completing your CPD on a regular basis... continued
Published: 11 Jun 2014NICE Seeks New Members
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is seeking to recruit a secondary care clinician to join its Medical Technologies Advisory Committee (MTAC). MTAC works with the NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme – which exists to improve patient care and release... continued
Published: 11 Jun 2014NEWS: A Review of Pathogen Inactivation Technologies for Platelets
On behalf of SaBTO The independent Scientific Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood,Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) has recently completed a review of pathogen inactivation technologies for platelets, and considered their use as a risk reduction measure for platelet transfusion. Those of you who... continued
Published: 20 May 2014NEWS: Recruitment for NHS HSST Programme Open
What is NHS Higher Specialist Scientific Training (HSST)? The Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme (HSST) is a five-year workplace-based training programme supported by an underpinning doctoral-level academic programme and, where appropriate, Royal College qualifications. The... continued
Published: 19 May 2014C'est si bon
(Musings on TM news that is so good and not so good) By Pat Letendre May's blog is a take-off on cartoonist Gary Clement's weekly feature, 'Week in Review' in Canada's National Post , e.g, Week of Apr. 20-26, 2014 . I love them because they capture the week's news with a smile. The blog's... continued
Published: 15 May 2014Simply The Best
by Pat Letendre This blog is the second in a series written for the British Blood Transfusion Society . In this entry, I'll muse on surprising similarities between the worlds of football (soccer in NA) and transfusion medicine. The blog's title derives from a song covered by Tina Turner, one... continued
Published: 11 Apr 2014
Subscriptions Now Due
It's that time of year again when we start to remind members that renewals are now due for the 2014/15 membership year. 2014 has already proven an exciting year for the Society with the introduction of our new BBTS branding and the radical changes being made to the Specialist Certificate in... continued
Published: 02 Apr 2014
Now Available: HoTSIG Programme
The Hospital Transfusion Special Interest Group Team have released the programme for the 2014 Spring meeting taking place in Birmingham on the 13th May. Take a look and let us know which session you're looking forward to the most in the comments below. HoTSIG 2014 ... continued
Published: 01 Apr 2014
Born to be Wild?
by Pat Letendre This blog is the first in a series written for the British Blood Transfusion Society. I'm delighted to be a guest blogger for the BBTS. In this entry, I'll share a few blog basics - 'food for thought' tidbits - to help potential bloggers write blogs and readers assess blogs. The... continued
Published: 13 Mar 2014
Welcome to your new look BBTS
Welcome to your new look BBTS! 2013 was a great year for BBTS! Along with all the good work we usually do, the Annual Conference scored our highest ever delegate satisfaction rating and we introduced our brand new online CPD tool . We're hoping 2014 can be even better and with lots of... continued
Published: 03 Mar 2014
