Working with Schools

A GCSE workshop on Assisted Conception and Saviour Siblings, covering Clinical Embryology, Genetics, Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry. The topics include, mathematics, statistics and the media; why do couples opt for IVF? and an empathy activity focusing on the story of a young boy who is suffering from aplastic anaemia.

An A-level workshop on Assisted Conception and Saviour Siblings, which delves deeper into the surrounding ethical issues. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the ethical issues present in different scenarios, including the case of seven year old Joseph, who has Fanconi’s anaemia and needs a bone marrow or stem cell transplant if he is to survive.

This resource is aimed at GCSE students and has an activity centred on a patient journey which highlights the role of biochemistry in diagnosis. The second activity focuses on genetics, in particular Familial Hypercholesterolaemia. The toolkit contains curriculum links, as well as instructions on how to deliver the session.

This resource is aimed at A-level students and includes three different scenarios based around making a decision. This pathologist's toolkit contains curriculum links, as well as instructions on how to deliver the session.

This resource is aimed at A-level students which histopathologists could use, it consists of a hands on disease detection activity and an ethical discussion on the Human Tissue Act (HTA). The teacher's pack contains curriculum links as well as information on how to deliver the session.

Using these prompts, GCSE students will discuss the controversial issues involved with these initiatives, including what makes a good screening test? How do you decide whether a disease should be screened for? What is the impact on the patient if you get the right or wrong result? How does screening impact on the NHS?

GCSE students can examine a case study about a patient diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and discuss the issues surrounding it, including, what are the risks with POCT compared to testing in a hospital lab? What is the impact on the patient if you get the right or wrong result? How would you feel about taking responsibility for your own test results?

Case study 1 for POCT activity

Case study 2 for POCT activity

A leaflet with additional information to accompany the case studies for the POCT activity