Harvey's Lab Tours

Giving young patients a behind-the-scenes look at how labs help to diagnose and treat illnesses.

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Today marks 10 years of Biomedical Science Day.

We'd like to thank the biomedical scientists who make Harvey's Lab Tours possible.

Here's to a decade of celebrating the profession #AtTheHeartOfHealthcare.

https://t.co/JLZLNqj0n1

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

“Every little hero we’ve had through the doors has been a wonder.”

Trainee Biomedical Scientist Andrew Mathews reflects on supporting Harvey’s Lab Tours at University Hospital Southampton ✨

Read more: https://t.co/urKIoTt0Ny

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Isaac and Isla recently visited the Blood Sciences laboratories at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for their Harvey’s Lab Tour, where they took part in fake sample making, colourful reaction experiments and microscopy activities.

https://t.co/8qyKLnxqHZ

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Alistair (10) and Theo (8) visited Medway Maritime Hospital to see what happens to their samples 🔬

With practical experiments and “delivery truck” blood cells, they quickly got to grips with it, and were soon explaining it all back on the ward.

https://t.co/Ugjs6wfrRV

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

After many hospital visits, Alice got to see what happens to her blood samples at RUH Bath 🔬

Making her own blood film and spotting her blood cells under the microscope was a highlight.

Read more: https://t.co/vBolJegfRd

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Oliver’s Harvey’s Lab Tour at @NewcastleHosps gave him the chance to explore the lab, ask questions and learn more about science 🔬

He’s even been role-playing as a biomedical scientist at home since!

Read more: https://t.co/5aE55nL1dB

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Hallie recently became the first patient at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust to join a Harvey’s Lab Tour.

Read the full story: https://t.co/QeWdGqtThL

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Not every lab activity stays in the lab.

At University Hospital Southampton, Arthur (aged 5) loved the “emotions volcano” so much he took it home to try again 🧪

A simple way to help children talk about their feelings during their healthcare journey.

https://t.co/pjGYEJ7smF

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

James makes regular visits to the hospital following a liver transplant.

But this time, he got to swap the waiting room for the lab at Royal Bolton Hospital, getting a closer look at what happens after his appointments.

🔗 See what he got up to: https://t.co/igROHAqEaa

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Cheerios, cous cous, marshmallows & vegetable oil 🧪

At DGRI, young visitors built a DIY blood model to learn how red cells carry oxygen, platelets help clotting & white cells fight infection.

Creative, hands-on science that makes healthcare less scary.

https://t.co/s606pcPD85

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

When Tomás visited University Hospital Southampton, his question: “How does factor VIII help clotting?” shaped the entire visit, leading the family into coagulation to see the analysers behind their care.

Read more: https://t.co/VuDc9HRCRL

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Not every Harvey’s Lab Tour goes to plan, and that’s okay 💙

During Chloe’s visit, the Blood Sciences team put her wellbeing first, gently pausing the tour when she felt unwell and planning for her to return another day.

Read the full story here: https://t.co/p6SgoL31zT

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

After World Cancer Day, we’re sharing Toby’s Harvey’s Lab Tour. Toby, who is being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, visited the lab to see how biomedical scientists support his care and loved being a “real scientist” for the day.

Read more: https://t.co/cOiZJnGTyk

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Beads and gel in the lab 🧪🩸

During her Harvey’s Lab Tour, Scarlett used simple materials to explore blood groups and blood components, helping explain how lab science supports patient care.

Read more 👉 https://t.co/HuylnDn9Oq

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Kareem recently returned to the lab at University Hospital Southampton for his second Harvey's Lab Tour 🧪

Repeat visits help young patients build confidence and understanding of their healthcare. Thank you to the lab teams who support these visits.

https://t.co/MM8IxZ4X9r

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

William explored the lab at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary, from microscopes to pipetting, and even sent a message through the pod system 🧪

Find out more: https://t.co/Bey7qHTyvt

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

From all of us at Harvey’s Lab Tours, we hope you have a peaceful Christmas and restful time over the holiday period ❤️

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

IBMS Awards 2026 entries are now open 🧪

The Harvey’s Lab Tour of the Year category recognises the teams who run Harvey’s Lab Tours for young patients and families.

You can find out more and enter via the link below:
https://t.co/votXlPHxxl

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

Eight-year-old Jasper lives with APDS and is having a bone marrow transplant. On his Harvey’s Lab Tour in Cardiff he tried pipetting, UV 'germ' tracking and a mock lymphocyte test on the analyser used for his own samples.

Read more about his visit:

🔗 https://t.co/nncsb6wgHF

[Harvey's Lab Tours @HarveysLabTours]

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!