THE BIOMEDICAL MY LAB 70 SCIENTIST Daniel Weiand MY LAB MICROBIOLOGY’S ONE-STOP-SHOP Daniel Weiand, Consultant Microbiologist and Educational Lead, gives a guided tour of his laboratory in Newcastle. he Newcastle numerous, high-impact upon Tyne studies. For example, in-house Hospitals NHS research has led to the Foundation Trust development of solid media is one of the for the detection of rapidly most successful growing mycobacteria, which teaching NHS has transformed the diagnosis trusts in the and management of cystic country. The trust is one of fibrosis and other respiratory Tjust five in the country to diseases. This media has been have twice been rated adopted by a commercial “outstanding” by the Care manufacturer to be used Quality Commission. In the globally. The team has also most recent NHS Friends and developed a method for Family Test, around 98% of our combination antibiotic in-patients said they would susceptibility testing, which recommend our services. is used to inform patient Laboratory medicine at management in the most The Newcastle upon Tyne complicated cases of Hospitals NHS Foundation is based over annum. The total annual budget for antimicrobial resistance, across the three sites – the Royal Victoria Infirmary the department is in excess of £6m. UK and Ireland. In 2018, Newcastle (RVI); the Freeman Hospital; and the Scientific and technical staff are microbiology services successfully Centre for Life – and carries out over supported by eight substantive published 24 manuscripts in peer- 16 million tests each year. All laboratories microbiology consultants and three reviewed journals and delivered are compliant with, and accredited by, the virology consultants. The department 35 conference presentations. HTA, MHRA and UKAS. also has a strong track record of At this year’s Institute of Biomedical Newcastle microbiology services, based furthering medical education, supporting Science Congress, speakers from at the Freeman Hospital, provides one eight registrar-grade infection specialty Newcastle microbiology services are of the most comprehensive test portfolios doctors, as well as foundation year, giving presentations on topics including: in the UK – a one-stop-shop for most core medical training, paediatric ID/ demand management through SMART available microbiology and virology tests, immunology, and sexual health/ testing; abdominal solid organ transplant including bacteriology, serology, mycology genitourinary medicine doctors. perfusion fluid culture; and pathogens in and parasitology. The diagnostic portfolio Working closely together with bone marrow transplant recipients. is further bolstered by the regional centre Newcastle University, the University of for mycobacteria and a comprehensive Northumbria and the National Institute Jennifer Collins is the Laboratory Manager molecular diagnostics suite. The of Health Research, the trust forms a key and the Operational Services Manager is Kim laboratory has consistently achieved part of one of Europe’s leading centres for Young. The Head of Department is Dr Julie ISO 15189 accreditation, and its research and innovation. Led by Professor Samuel. For more information visit careers. 86 scientific and technical staff process John Perry, the microbiology research nuth.nhs.uk; on twitter @NewcastleHosps; approximately 1,120,000 samples per team continues to play a key role in and on facebook.com/NewcastleHosps..