POCT
Tue 14 Jul 2026 09:00-16:00
Online Forum, 5 CPD Hours

Gain practical insight to strengthen digital POCT in your service

Connect online with fellow NHS professionals for a day of practical learning focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping digital POCT. Hear from speakers with hands-on experience implementing digital systems, improving connectivity, strengthening governance and assurance, and supporting workforce training in digital-first services. Through practical case studies, including innovation in high-sensitivity troponin POCT, this forum will help you understand what works in practice, compare your approach with others and leave with realistic ideas you can apply in your own setting.

Previous attendees at our POCT events consistently benefit from the practical relevance of the content, the quality of the speakers and the opportunity to learn from colleagues facing similar challenges.

Digital POCT National Networking Forum
Online 5 CPD hours Free

Expand your knowledge

5 hours Continuing Professional Development: what you will learn

Join this free online forum to gain practical insight you can apply in your own service, while also learning from like-minded colleagues, sharing experiences and hearing how other trusts are approaching digital POCT. Key learning outcomes include:

  • Understanding practical steps to improve POCT connectivity across hospital and community settings 
  • Hearing practical experience of improving interoperability, implementing digital POCT systems and managing testing and go-live
  • Exploring how services are managing governance challenges in modern POCT technology, from patient-owned devices to AI 
  • Gaining greater confidence in verification, validation, QC monitoring, UKAS expectations and quality assurance where evidence or EQA is still developing
  • Exploring practical approaches to training the workforce in digital-first services 
  • Understanding how high-sensitivity troponin POCT can support faster, safer decision-making, strengthen POCT and laboratory collaboration, and ease pressure on urgent care pathways
  • Identifying practical next steps and shared learning to strengthen implementation, governance and assurance in your own service

Live online learning

Developed with convenience in mind: join this online forum remotely

Gain insight into how other trusts are approaching shared digital POCT challenges by:

  • Meeting and engaging with fellow POCT professionals: network with NHS peers from across the country 
  • Listening to presentations and speakers’ Q&A: ask questions and hear practical insight into connectivity, governance, assurance and digital-first services
  • Taking part in facilitated interactive sessions: explore key challenges and hear how other trusts are tackling them in practice
  • Feeding back and engaging: join moderated discussion, share your perspective and take away practical ideas for your own service

9:00
Registration, technical support and networking opportunity
9:30
Introduction, instructions and chair’s opening remarks
Sarah Glover, Consultant Clinical Biochemist & POCT Clinical Lead, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Building a well-connected digital pathway
9:40
Connecting POCT across care settings
  • Enabling digitally connected POCT across secondary, primary, virtual ward and community services
  • Improving interoperability so POCT results sit alongside pathology data to support integrated care
  • Using connectivity and remote oversight to extend diagnostic pathways safely beyond the hospital
Nicky Hollywood, Lead Healthcare Scientist HDFT, POCT Cross Site Lead, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
10:10
Questions and answers with your speaker
10:20
Interactive discussion: Practical steps to improve POCT connectivity and implementation across services
  • What practical steps are helping you connect POCT safely across hospital, community, virtual ward and primary care services?
  • What are the biggest barriers to interoperability and implementation, and what has helped you move things forward?
  • What lessons have you learned from testing and go-live that could help others in their own service?
10:40
Sponsored presentation opportunity
  • This is a great opportunity for an industry partner to share insights into their product or service. For further information please contact vanessa.pearce@sbk-healthcare.co.uk
10:50
Questions and answers with your sponsor
11:00
Meet the sponsors in dedicated breakout rooms
  • This is an opportunity to meet your industry partners in dedicated breakout rooms covering different topics. Take time to meet with commercial partners to discuss topics that align closely with your needs and interests.
11:10
Screen break
Strengthening governance and validation
11:20
Addressing governance challenges in modern POCT technology and AI
  • Identifying governance gaps as technology moves to patient-owned devices and cloud-based systems
  • Managing risk when infrastructure and connectivity constraints sit outside local control
  • Understanding what good AI governance looks like in practice
Victoria Clough, Consultant Clinical Biochemist & POCT Clinical Lead, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
11:50
Maintaining quality, accreditation and assurance at scale
  • Delivering verification and validation evidence that stands up across sites and operator groups
  • Strengthening QC monitoring and confidence in meeting UKAS expectations
  • Working around gaps in EQA for newer POCT assays by sharing approaches and learning
12:20
Questions and answers with your speakers
12:30
Interactive discussion: Improving governance and assurance in practice
  • How are you strengthening verification, QC and assurance in practice?
  • How are you managing governance and risk when key constraints sit outside your control?
  • What approaches are helping where EQA is limited or not yet available for newer POCT assays?
12:50
Lunch break
Effectively training the workforce in a digital service
1:20
Supporting workforce training in digital-first services
  • Using online platforms and resources to support practical teaching and training
  • Integrating teaching for trainees within remote and hybrid ways of working
  • Sharing practical approaches to training at scale when staff cannot easily leave clinical areas
Clarisse Ann Lagman, Phlebotomy and POCT Manager (Transformation and Delivery), Oxford Health NHS Trust
Improving services through digital innovation
1:50
Using high-sensitivity troponin POCT for faster, safer decision-making
  • Strengthening POCT and laboratory collaboration to reduce pressure rather than shift it
  • Reducing unnecessary ED admissions and easing pressure on urgent care pathways
  • Case study: implementing a high-sensitivity troponin POCT pathway in a busy ED department
Rafal Abdul Ridha, Senior Biomedical Scientist & POCT Co-ordinator, South West London Pathology
2:20
Questions and answers with your speakers
2:30
Chair’s closing remarks and close of day

Call for speakers

If you would like to give a presentation and share your work or the work of your service at this online forum, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To discuss speaking opportunities please email the conference producer, Mariana Mason or call Mariana on 01732 897788.

Your expert speaker line-up

Hear from experienced NHS POCT leaders and specialists sharing real-world insight into connectivity, governance, quality and service improvement in digital POCT. Speakers confirmed to date:

Victoria Clough
Job Title:
Consultant Clinical Biochemist & POCT Clinical Lead
Organisation
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Biography

Victoria has been working in Clinical Biochemistry within the NHS for over 20 years, in hospitals across London and in Plymouth.  She has been a Consultant Clinical Biochemist and Clinical Lead for POCT at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust since 2016, providing strategic leadership for a rapidly developing POCT service.  Victoria is passionate about using POCT to improve patient experience and diagnostic pathways, working with clinical teams to ensure safe and effective implementation. 
Rafal Abdul Ridha
Job Title:
Senior Biomedical Scientist & POCT Co-ordinator
Organisation
South West London Pathology
Biography
Nicky Hollywood
Job Title:
Lead Healthcare Scientist HDFT, POCT Cross Site Lead
Organisation
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Biography

I have worked at Harrogate and District foundation trust (HDFT) since 2006.  Initially I was in the role of POCT and community services manager but as the POCT department role grew I have been POCT manager exclusively since 2011.  The department has grown from looking after a few gas machines and glucose meters for hospital to achieving UKAS accreditation for many aspects of the service both on and off site.  I have been involved in many areas of service development over the years including delivering a Flexible thinking training course to NHS managers for 2 years, working for the PCT (alongside the POCT manager role), sitting on working groups at the department of health to name a few.  All of these additional challenges have helped to shape and influence how the POCT department respond to our clinical communities and have enable me to develop a wider viewpoint for our service.
Sarah Glover
Job Title:
Consultant Clinical Biochemist & POCT Clinical Lead
Organisation
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Biography

I began my career in Clinical Biochemistry at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Having completed my initial training, I joined the team at Bradford Royal Infirmary as a Senior Clinical Biochemist. During my time at Bradford, I developed a specialist interest in Point of Care Testing (POCT) and was responsible for several POCT services, including cardiac marker testing and the implementation of urinalysis meters. 

After gaining Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathology in 2014, I moved to Harrogate as a Principal clinical Biochemist, taking on the role of Clinical Lead for POCT and in 2017 I became a Consultant Clinical Biochemist. 

My role as POCT clinical lead is very varied, from providing clinical advice on patient results, to chairing the multi-disciplinary POCT Committee. The roles of the Committee include assessing the clinical need for POCT services across the Trust, setting and implementing the POCT Policy, assessing all proposals for new POCT services, ensuring continual quality improvement of services and making sure all users are fully trained and competent.

I am responsible for leading on the validation and verification of new devices to ensure they are fit for purpose and I liaise closely with clinical teams throughout the Trust implementing new services, to optimise the patient pathway and experience. 

By performing regular clinical audits I ensure the services we provide are safe, clinically and cost effective, making the best use of Trust resources.

In 2016 the Point of Care Testing Department at HDFT became the first in the UK to achieve UKAS accreditation to ISO15189 and 22870 for many of our services within the hospital, at outreach clinics and even in patient’s homes. I am responsible for ensuring we maintain our accreditation and for extending this for new services.
Clarisse Ann Lagman
Job Title:
Phlebotomy and POCT Manager (Transformation and Delivery)
Organisation
Oxford Health NHS Trust
Biography

Free NHS attendance

There are limited numbers for this online forum. Please cancel your place in writing if you can no longer attend by emailing bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk. Non-attendance without written cancellation will result in £100 plus VAT charge.

How this online forum will work

Once you have booked your place, SBK Healthcare will correspond with you using the email address you provided at the time of booking. Within one week of the online conference taking place, you will be sent final details of the course including a full agenda, programme timings and your Zoom joining instructions. This email will include a joining link that can be used to access the conference.

If you have not received your email two days before your event, do check your junk folder then contact SBK Healthcare on 01732 897788.

Practice sessions are available and you will be sent an invitation to join one of our delegate practice sessions. These are optional but great if you are unsure of whether your camera and microphone will work on Zoom. We hold several one hour practice sessions across the week when a member of SBK Healthcare staff will be waiting in Zoom to assist you. Please do pop in, say hello and make sure you are all set for the day.

On the day, when registration starts, you will be able to join the conference by initially entering a waiting room when there may be a short wait. In groups of between 6-10 people, you will be admitted into the main conference room to be greeted by a member of SBK staff. In the same group you will be taken into a breakout room and asked to turn on your video and microphone. A member of the SBK team will get your group started with some orientation tasks and ‘ice breaker’ topics, before leaving you to network.

When you are automatically brought back into the conference room for the start of the conference, you will be asked to turn off your camera and microphone so that the chair can start the forum. During each presentation you will be able to ask questions in the chat box function. The forum will include screen breaks, as well as topic themed interactive sessions which will take place in the breakout rooms.

Click here to view the specially created a 5-minute video that will walk you through how to get the most out of attending your SBK Healthcare interactive online forum.

Terms and conditions

Certification of attendance

A certificate for Continuing Professional Development will be given to every fully registered participant who completes the course, as a record of your continuing professional training and development.

Registration fees

As an NHS or public sector attendee, you are not required to pay for your place. However, as an interactive forum, there are a limited number of places available. Once booked, if you find you are unable to attend, please cancel your place in writing by emailing the bookings team. This will free a place for someone on the waiting list. 

Non-attendance without written cancellation will result in £100 plus VAT charge.

Modify registration

To let us know if your details are not correct when you have already registered, please email the bookings team.

Substitutions

Substitutions for delegates unable to attend after registering are acceptable at any time.

Event changes

It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of the conference organisers to alter the content, speakers or the timing of the programme. We will endeavour to keep you abreast of such changes. Should the event be postponed, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. If, for reasons beyond the control of the conference organiser, the event is cancelled, we do not accept any liability for any incurred costs resulting from a postponement or cancellation.

Privacy notice

To view the details on how your data is being collected and used, please view our Privacy policy.

Expected attendees

This online forum is ideal for POCT and digital diagnostics NHS professionals, providing an excellent opportunity to learn from peers, hear real examples of best practice and take away practical ideas for your own service. Book your free place and join other:

  • POCT Managers, Leads and Co-Ordinator's
  • Consultant Clinical Biochemists, Clinical Scientists and POCT Clinical Leads
  • Senior Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Associate Practitioners
  • Pathology Quality, Governance and Accreditation Leads
  • Training, Education and Workforce Leads
  • Digital Diagnostics, Informatics and POCT Project Leads

Past attendee feedback

Across our POCT events, we focus on the real challenges services are facing, helping ensure the learning is practical, timely and relevant. Delegates consistently value the insight shared by expert speakers, the relevance of the discussions and the opportunity to connect with peers across the NHS. Hear how previous attendees have benefitted from shared learning, real-world experience and practical takeaways: 

“The depth of insight from this range of specialist speakers was invaluable.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2026

“Great to network with like-minded individuals and take ideas away to help improve own POCT service.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2026

“Excellent talks and networking opportunity.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2026

“All the speakers and their topics were very interesting and different, providing a wide perspective.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2026

“Excellent network event with extremely useful updates in POCT.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2025

“Fantastic agenda, relevant and pertinent.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2025

“Very good. Excellent knowledge-sharing.”

POCT National Networking Forum, March, 2025

“Informative and helpful for our own POCT service moving forwards.”

Implementing Pharmacogenetic POCT Devices Nationally Webinar, January, 2026

Why sponsor?

Our role at SBK Healthcare is to bring industry together with healthcare professionals so that you can educate and inform your audience. These events offering dedicated presentation, Q&A, networking and discussion time, each sponsor will be full immersed into the event and able to effectively engage with your NHS audience.

Your event, managed by us

SBK Healthcare also provides in-house forums. Working closely with you as the client we can research, produce, market and deliver the conference or online forum that best suits the audience and meets your goals.

Reach out today

If you would like more information on our sponsorship options an in-house forum or if you wish to discuss your needs and what solutions may be appropriate for your business, please contact: 

Vanessa Pearce 
Contact: 01732 897788 
Email: vanessa.pearce@sbk-healthcare.co.uk