Event overview
Join us on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at the Royal College of Pathologists in London for a free, in-person day organised by LabMed and the Royal College of Pathologists. Bringing together trainees and experienced colleagues from across laboratory medicine, the day focuses on supporting RCPath exam preparation and strengthening clinical knowledge and understanding.
The morning covers different aspects of training, from an FRCPath examiner’s perspective on exam expectations and common challenges, to trainee cases and research and the interpretation of laboratory results in clinical practice. The sessions will help strengthen your knowledge, support your exam preparation and develop your understanding of how laboratory findings contribute to clinical decisions.
The afternoon is open up all colleagues from across laboratory medicine with the Freddie Flynn award lecture, which has been part of the laboratory medicine calendar since 2000. Established in recognition of Professor Freddie Flynn’s contribution to UK pathology, clinical computing and professional development, the lecture provides a chance to broaden your perspective on laboratory medicine and hear from an established speaker in the field.
Freddie Flynn Lecture
This year's lecture will be focused on 'Management of the poisoned patient', delivered by Alex Lawson, clinical service lead - biochemistry, immunology and toxicology at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Who should attend
The first part of the day is aimed at laboratory medicine trainees from STP through to pre-consultant level. It will be particularly relevant to trainees preparing for FRCPath, developing their clinical or research experience, or looking to learn from colleagues working in different areas of laboratory medicine.
The Freddie Flynn award lecture in the afternoon is open to all laboratory medicine colleagues, including trainees, consultants, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists and others with an interest in the field.
Learning outcomes
- Gain examiner-level insight into FRCPath expectations, common pitfalls and preparation tips.
- Refresh your knowledge of unusual samples and their impact on results.
- Deepen your grasp of immunoassays strengths, limitations and real-world pitfalls.
- Build your network with peers, trainers and senior colleagues across disciplines.
Agenda
Agenda
9:30am
Registration
10:00am
Welcome and LabMed Trainee's committee updates
- Larissa Pais and Laura Stephens
10:10am
Opening address
- Ian Godber
10:30am
Ice breaker quiz: unusual samples
- Larissa Pais and Laura Stephens
This is an informal session where you will interact with each other to identify unusual samples received in the laboratory and consider how they can aid patient management. Using the designated QR codes next to each sample; can you identify what they all are?
11:00am
Tea break
11:15am
FRCPath exams: an examiner's perspective
- Kevin Deans
The FRCPath examinations in Clinical Biochemistry test knowledge, skills and attitudes in relation to the published RCPath curriculum. In this session, attendees will be given the opportunity to discuss typical exam questions, focussing on Part 1, Part 2 Module 1 Practical and Part 2 Module 2 Cases and Critical Appraisal. Guidance will be given about how to maximise marks obtained, and how to avoid potential pitfalls. Common misconceptions will be addressed, and questions and discussion will be encouraged.
12:00pm
Trainee presentations and cases
12:10pm
Regional audit presentations
1:00pm
Lunch and networking
2:00pm
Freddie Flynn Award Lecture: Management of the poisoned patient
- Alex Lawson
Beyond Paracetamol and Salicylate: Current Laboratory Practice in the Investigation of Poisoned Patients In this talk, Alex will provide an update on the laboratory investigation of poisoned patients, highlighting how modern toxicology services have evolved beyond the traditional focus on paracetamol, salicylate and (if lucky) ethanol measurement. It will review the current role of clinical biochemistry and specialist toxicology laboratories in the assessment of acute poisoning, including the selection and interpretation of appropriate tests, the limitations of routine toxicology screens, and the increasing use of targeted and high-resolution analytical techniques. The talk will explore a practical approach to common poisoning presentations, discussing when laboratory testing influences clinical management and when results are unlikely to alter patient care. Emerging challenges such as novel psychoactive substances, synthetic opioids, designer benzodiazepines, and complex polypharmacy overdoses will be considered alongside developments in analytical toxicology. Case examples will be used to demonstrate how laboratory data can support diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment decisions, with an emphasis on delivering clinically relevant toxicology services in 2026. The talk will also outline how findings generated from NHS laboratories can be used to influence local and national drug policies when laboratory professionals form part of Local Drug Information Systems, and how this data can be used to reduce harm and save lives.
2:45pm
TRAb/TPO in the context of thyroid disease
- George Allen
This presentation will provide an overview of the role of autoantibodies in autoimmune thyroid disease, highlighting their pathophysiological significance, diagnostic utility and limitations in clinical practice. The session will review the key thyroid autoantibodies, including thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), examining the evidence linking these markers to disease development, progression and management. This will include discussion of their use in hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and maternal Graves’ disease as well as the practical and analytical challenges associated with thyroid autoantibody measurement.
3:30pm
Tea break
3:50pm
Biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease
- Emma Stevenson
A third of people living with dementia do not have a diagnosis. This talk will focus on the CSF and blood biomarkers that have recently emerged as diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s disease and how the laboratory can help support patient care.
4:30pm
Closing remarks
