Harvey's Lab Tours

25/12/2025

Christmas means different things to different people, but for many it’s a a chance to pause after a busy year.

From all of us at Harvey’s Lab Tours, we want to say how much we appreciate everyone who volunteers their time to bring the lab to life for young patients and their families. Your support plays a crucial role in helping young people understand their healthcare and the tests that support their treatment.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a restful time over the holiday period ❤️

17/12/2025

The IBMS Awards 2026 are now open - and one of the categories is Harvey’s Lab Tour of the Year 🧪

This award celebrates the teams who help young patients and families understand more about their healthcare through lab tours, recognising the careful planning and teamwork that goes into making each visit unforgettable.

Last year’s winner, Gayle Johnstone (Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary), said:

"To be recognised for something I genuinely love doing was one of the proudest moments of my career."

You can read more about the category and the IBMS Awards here: https://ibmsawards.org/

11/12/2025

Eight-year-old Jasper has APDS, a rare immune condition, and is currently going through a bone marrow transplant. That means lots of blood tests.

Jasper and his parents recently visited the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Lab at University Hospital of Wales for a Harvey's Lab Tour.

He tried pipetting, helped with colourful 'mock' experiments, used UV light to track where germs might hide, and even saw how a big lab machine (a flow cytometer) helps doctors understand his immune system.

His parent told us the visit gave him 'confidence, clarity and joy in a place that once felt frightening.' 💛

Read Jasper’s Journey and see how the Cardiff team turned lab science into something children can understand and even enjoy: https://bit.ly/4oMSerA

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

Could your organisation help support young patients and families through a family-centred initiative?

Harvey’s Lab Tours gives young patients a behind-the-scenes look at hospital laboratories - meeting biomedical scientists, seeing what happens to samples, and understanding the process in an age-appropriate way.

We’re inviting organisations to partner with us to help fund the practical resources that make this possible and ensure more families can benefit.

You can download the Partnership Package at: https://lnkd.in/ek4ybzbR

04/12/2025

Jasper from Jasper's Journey took a lab tour of the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Lab at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Full write-up coming soon!

27/11/2025

The Haematology and Biochemistry Lab at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was delighted to welcome Amelie and her mum to the lab's first tour.

Read about what Amelia got up to here:
https://bit.ly/4ixLIUk

20/11/2025

On , we fully support this years theme "For every child, every right" which advocates for every child to have access to healthcare as a basic right.

12/11/2025

One year ago, Emma visited Royal United Hospitals Bath for her first tour.

During her treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, she wanted to see what happens behind the scenes with her blood tests - and our amazing biomedical scientists were happy to show her around. 🧪

Emma explored specimen reception, haematology, biochemistry and transfusion. She even had a go at a few lab techniques herself!

Seeing how the lab supports her care helped her feel more confident and curious about science. 🌟

Every Harvey’s Lab Tour helps young patients understand their healthcare, meet the people behind their results and feel a little braver during their hospital visits. ❤️

Read Emma’s story on our blog: https://bit.ly/3XovTp3

05/11/2025

🧪✨ At Great Ormond Street Hospital, Rachel Moss and her team have been delivering Harvey's Lab Tours for almost a decade.

From bubbly dry ice eruptions to looking down microscopes and filling colourful test tubes, their tours make learning about healthcare fun and exciting.

💬 “The dry ice and bubbles have guaranteed squeals of fun from our young visitors.” – Rachel Moss

We love seeing how these tours bring smiles, confidence, and curiosity to every child who visits. 💙

Read the full interview: https://bit.ly/4qIDrQR

27/10/2025

👩‍🔬🧑‍🔬 This , we want to celebrate all the incredible lab staff who guide, support and inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists.

From explaining complex processes to young visitors to mentoring new team members, your patience and passion make a huge difference 💙

Thank you for helping others see just how fascinating life in the lab can be!

21/10/2025

Have you ever wondered how blood travels from the lab to patients across Cornwall, or even to the Isles of Scilly?

At Royal Cornwall Hospital, young patients and their families are finding out.

After seeing how their samples are tested and stored in the Blood Bank, they get a special visit from the incredible volunteers at Cornwall Blood Bikes - real-life healthcare heroes who deliver blood and samples across the county and beyond.

It’s a fun and interactive way to show children the teamwork, science, and care that keep our hospitals running ❤️

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4o3xRXL