Making it happen

January’s Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine (FiLM) meeting was dubbed the most successful yet with more than 200 people attending over the three days.

Highlights included discussion with Lord Carter and colleagues on the challenges of delivering reform in a decentralised NHS, Professor Brian Edwards' thought-provoking contribution on the politics and practicalities of an independent NHS, and an amazing closing address from Vivien Navarro Rosso of Laboratorio Fleury in Brazil showing just what is possible with integrated, patient-centred diagnostics. Satellite meetings focussed on Lean and Six Sigma and Modernising Scientific Careers.

Organiser, Mike Hallworth commented, "FiLM 2008 brought together a powerful mix of good speakers and an audience that is directly involved in delivering change in laboratory medicine. The standard of discussion and opportunities for networking were as high as ever."

Frank Finlay, consultant clinical scientist at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, attended the meeting. “Once again, the FiLM meeting was very enjoyable and informative. It was a truly international meeting with fascinating presentations on the provision and delivery of lab services from around the world (including Brazil, USA and Australia) along with UK projects and developments. The highlight for me was the general discussion that followed each presentation which brought out many different views and was really thought provoking - although interestingly, it also demonstrated the similarities in challenges being faced and addressed by labs around the world.

Other delegates commented:

"Excellent and diverse presentations that comprehensively tackled the pathology change agenda"

"The only meeting that provides an opportunity to see best practice presented in a comparative but professional way"

Topics for next year are still under discussion, but are expected to include delivering the Darzi report, personalised medicine, the new screening agenda and the nuts and bolts of managed service contracts.