Patient-centred sampling is moving from concept to reality, creating new opportunities and challenges for routine clinical laboratories. Following the 2025 meeting Patient centric sampling: the future of laboratory medicine, this event marks the next phase, asking how laboratories can adapt existing automated workflows to deliver high-quality testing using alternative blood collection approaches.
Join us in Liverpool for a discussion with key opinion formers about how we can shape this developing field and integrate it into future laboratory practice.
The programme covers pre-analytical sample quality, patient acceptability of collection devices through real-world use-case scenarios, total laboratory automation, and innovations in capillary collection device design. Attendees will hear about life-changing outcomes for patients and learn from organisations that have already moved into the pre-analytical space, across both public and private sectors. Sessions also cover the ongoing work of the LabMed Patient Centric Testing and Sampling (PaCTS) Special Interest Group.
The day closes with a panel discussion that asks what stands in the way of a working capillary testing service. Discussion will centre on four outcomes: standardising validation studies and reaching consensus on what's required for R&D and ethics approval; getting manufacturers to list capillary blood as an acceptable sample type in assay IFUs; standardising the qualitative data captured on patient acceptance of capillary sampling; and delivering paediatric access at all levels. The aim is to set up workstreams bringing together manufacturers, clinical scientists, regulators and patients to deliver a blood science testing service fot for the future.
This meeting will help you
- Understand how total laboratory automation can support patient centred blood sampling
- Explore approaches to managing pre-analytical quality for capillary and alternative samples
- Learn from real-world laboratory implementations across public and private sectors
- Recognise design, validation and workflow considerations for capillary collection devices
- Consider how flexible laboratory processes can support the shift from hospital-based care to community settings
- Help shape the workstreams on validation, manufacturer standards, patient acceptance and paediatric access coming out of the closing panel
- Engage with peers, manufacturers and opinion leaders shaping this rapidly developing field
Target audience
This meeting is aimed at:
- Clinical scientists, consultant clinical scientists and chemical pathologists
- Blood sciences laboratory professionals and senior laboratory staff
- Pathology service leads and managers
- Professionals involved in pre-analytical processes, automation or service redesign
- Those with an interest in patient centred sampling, micro-sampling and laboratory innovation
Agenda
9:30am Welcome and introduction
Ian Godber
9:50am Welcome address
Sophie Hepburn
10:00am Power of patient engagement
Karen Perkins
10:30am Project comfort: Patient experience to clinician
Ramona Seliger
11:00am Coffee & exhibition & networking
11:30am Let's Get Checked: Device development case study
Kathleen Gahan
12:00pm NHS Transformation update
Martin O'Neil
12:30pm Lunch & exhibition & networking
1:45pm Integrating PCS-derived samples into laboratory workflows
Julie Davies
2:15pm Overview of CE marking for capillary sampling and the process behind it
Simon Parker
2:45pm Coffee & exhibition & networking
3:00pm What's next? Making change happen in the laboratory
David Gaze, all speakers from the day
4:00pm Close
Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors.
