Gordon Sinclair

I am a fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), a pre-requisite for my primary role of Senior Biomedical Scientist, Technical Lead for Haematology at the Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RMH), a position I have held for just over 18 years. I am responsible for all technical aspects of the laboratory. We have been regularly inspected, initially by the Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) and now by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) and have consistently maintained our accredited status.

I work with a range of organizations across the Healthcare sector with whom I maintain strong relationships. For example, in my NQAAP capacity I attend the EQA Stakeholders Forum, which has delegated responsibility, from the four UK governments, to oversee the quality of UK Pathology Laboratories. I have been given responsibility within the EQA Stakeholders Forum for the levy, the fee paid by the EQA providers so the work of the NQAAPs may continue. Much as few turkeys would vote for Christmas, the EQA providers have been reluctant to accept a framework for the levy. It has been an arduous task over more than two years, but in our last meeting the framework was finally passed successfully.

I have recognised Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills. I am an ICT Superuser for the RMH Blood Sciences department and was responsible for implementing the Haematology department’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), which has been running successfully for twelve years. I wrote the rules for both the LIMS and a supplementary server and trained the staff in the systems’ use. 

Although I am dyslexic, which reduces my abilities in written communication, I have lectured nationally and internationally. I have spoken at three successive IBMS Congress and internationally for the Sysmex teaching academy. For several years, I have been a member of the IBMS Congress Committee, which organises the bi-annual IBMS Congress. The direct feedback to me from delegates has always been very positive. 

I have experience teaching in higher education. I worked as a Special Lecturer at North East College of Technology, Epsom and taught on the Haematology MSc course. I have also worked as a guest lecturer at London Metropolitan University (LMU) since 2008, teaching on their Biomedical Science BSc. My lectures have been voted by students as the most interesting and informative at LMU.

I have worked as the professional representative for the IBMS on accreditation events for De Mont and Greenwich Universities’ Biomedical Science degrees. I am, therefore, familiar with both the process and requirements for successful accreditation. I have also worked for LMU as an external assessor for their IBMS Accredited Biomedical Sciences BSc degrees. After these events I have been thanked for my insightful comments.

I have 29 and a half years of post-registration experience in the National Health Service (NHS) Blood Sciences Laboratories. I have consistently performed to a high standard in various spheres including laboratory science, information technology, teaching, continuing professional development (CPD), and inclusivity and have consistently received excellent appraisals.

I am a member of a number Scientific Advisory Panel including EQA providers and IBMS.

I hold a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Science, studying haematology. I was in the first cohort of students, at the Anglia Polytechnic University, who took a new course part-time by distance learning. Unfortunately, the drop-out rate was extremely high, but I enjoyed the independence and, having a strong and tenacious work ethic, I flourished and graduated.

The thesis for my Doctorate in Biomedical Science focused on investigating the development of expertise in peripheral blood film morphology. To accomplish this, I designed and built an eye-tracking microscope, including all the software and hardware. From the knowledge gained, I designed an on-line morphology test that is in regular use in the laboratory to assess the staff’s competency.