Lab visit shows science in action

STUDENTS from Sir John Deane’s College in Northwich visited a working laboratory to see science in action.

A group of 28 students from the A2 Applied Science course were able to talk to scientists at the Countess of Chester Hospital Pathology Laboratories about their work in medical microbiology, histopathology, haematology and biochemistry.

They spoke to staff in each department who showed them how they test samples, such as blood, urine, or body tissues, to diagnose disease and advise clinicians on how the patient should be treated.

They also found out about the qualifications needed to work in the different roles in the laboratory.

The visit will help the students in their A2 module ‘Working in a Pathology Laboratory’.

Pauline Lowrie, Head of Biology at SJD, said: “Most people think that pathologists work with dead bodies, but the students could see that most of the time, pathologists are working on samples from people who are alive, either checking that they are healthy, or diagnosing problems and recommending therapeutic treatment.

“We are really grateful to the staff at COCH for allowing us to visit, and we know it will be very useful for the students.”

Pictured: SJD students in the Countess of Chester microbiology department looking at how samples are sorted.