The IBMS Sheffield branch held its AGM at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, in November, and was preceded by two presentations. Chris Teather, an advanced biomedical scientist from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, gave a presentation entitled ‘HPV Testing… The Story so Far’.
Chris gave an overview of the impact of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme and the benefits of change from conventional screening to liquid-based testing. The second speaker was Dr Andrew Fletcher, a consultant haematologist from Chesterfield, who gave a presentation entitled ‘Paradoxes and Conundrums in Haematology’, which included an account of some interesting case studies that he had encountered.
The final business of the evening was the presentation of the Des Brady award for services to local pathology. The recipient of the award was Neil Porter, pictured with branch chairman Steve Davies. Neil is currently the scientific director and clinical development adviser for Modernising Scientific Careers at Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority. Previously, Neil was haematology manager at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and had been very active in education throughout his career, having chaired the Institute’s scientific advisory panel, managed the haematology programme at Congress, and taught on Fellowship and Masters degree courses in Sheffield. The branch wishes him well in his retirement.