CHATTER BOX Your fortnightly bulletin for SaTH colleagues and events Thursday 4 September 2025
Harvey’s Lab Tour brings smiles and science together Last month, young patient Tilly and her brother Jesse got a special behind-the-scenes look at the Pathology department at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, thanks to Harvey’s Lab Tours. Led by Amber Haynes, Jo Gwilt, Sarah Gilbert, Emma Bentley and Vikki Whitehouse, the tour gave the family a chance to see what happens to blood and tissue samples once they leave the clinic. From looking at cells under the microscope to sending a toy penguin through the internal shoot system, the visit was packed with hands-on moments and plenty of smiles. Amber said: “It was brilliant to show Tilly and her family what we do. Helping young patients understand their illness from a different angle can really make a difference. And meeting the people
behind the samples reminds us why our work matters.” Tilly, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2020, saw how her Full Blood Count is calculated and got to view leukaemia cells under the microscope. Her mum Helen said the visit was not only informative but inspiring. Tilly is now thinking about a future career in healthcare. Bec Kerrigan, Acting Lead Scientist in Pathology, said: “A big thank you to the staff members that showed Tilly and her family around.” Harvey’s Lab Tours are a great example of how our teams go the extra mile to support patients and families. Thank you to everyone involved for making it happen.
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