POCT
Wed 25 Nov 2026 09:00-16:15
Birmingham City Football Club, 5 CPD Hours

Strengthening POCT delivery beyond hospital settings

Designed for POCT managers and coordinators, laboratory and quality leads, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists and service managers, this one-day, face-to-face conference will focus on the practical steps needed to deliver safe and scalable point-of-care testing beyond hospital settings.

Through engaging case studies, expert-led sessions and interactive discussion, you will be able to benchmark your current approach, learn from established models and take away practical ideas for moving from pilot projects to sustainable rollout.

Further training opportunities:

Sponsored by:

 

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Expanding POCT into the Community
Face-to-face 5 hours Free

Expand your knowledge

Build the practical foundations for safe, governed community POCT rollout

This practical conference presents you with the unique opportunity to step away from day-to-day service pressures and connect with POCT colleagues who are developing, supporting and expanding testing beyond hospital settings. Key learning outcomes include:

  • Understanding what the shift to care closer to home means for POCT services
  • Building a stronger business case for community POCT with clinical and organisational buy-in
  • Improving connectivity between off-site POCT devices and middleware to support timely clinical decision-making
  • Strengthening governance, training and competency across community and off-site settings
  • Learning from established community POCT models across virtual wards, Hospital at Home and pharmacy services
  • Moving from pilot projects to sustainable rollout with the right evidence, relationships and resource in place

Network and share experience

Build stronger POCT services for care closer to home

With a focus on community, virtual ward, pharmacy and off-site services, this comprehensive day will help you compare approaches, learn from established models and take away practical ideas for strengthening your own POCT service.

By attending, you will:

  • Benchmark your approach against other POCT services developing testing across community, virtual ward, pharmacy and off-site settings
  • Learn from real service experience and hear what has worked when expanding POCT closer to home
  • Gain practical ideas for improving governance, connectivity, training and sustainable rollout
  • Strengthen your business case thinking by exploring how other teams are securing buy-in, evidence and support
  • Build useful professional contacts with peers who can support future learning, problem-solving and collaboration

With thanks to the sponsors

SBK Healthcare would like to thank Roche and Werfen for sponsoring this educational forum. 

And to the exhibitors

Invitation to sponsor

This is a great opportunity for an industry partner to share insights into their product or service. For further information please email Vanessa Jarman, or call Vanessa on 01732 897788.

9:00
Registration and networking opportunity
9:30
Introduction, instructions and chair’s opening remarks
Delivering care closer to home
9:40
What does the shift to care closer to home mean for POCT services?
  • Reviewing how prepared current community POCT models are for the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan
  • Exploring who is coordinating POCT expansion as neighbourhood health, virtual wards and community diagnostic models develop
  • Identifying what teams need to support safe, scalable testing beyond the hospital
10:10
Questions and answers with your speaker
Turning clinical need into a strong business case
10:20
Building the business case for community POCT
  • Improving collaboration between clinicians and POCT professionals to better understand the clinical need
  • Building relationships with clinical leads and decision-makers to turn interest into buy-in
  • Using audit data, pathway evidence and patient impact to support a community POCT business case
  • Understanding the commissioning routes, funding and service agreements for community POCT
10:50
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.jarman@sbk-healthcare.co.uk
11:10
Refreshments and networking break
11:30
Interactive discussion: Building a community POCT case with clinical and organisational buy-in
  • How are you starting conversations with clinical teams to understand patient pathways and where POCT can add the most value?
  • Who are you involving early to build ownership for community POCT?
  • What evidence is your service using to show the impact of POCT and strengthen the case for investment?
Building connected, competent community POCT services
11:50
Connecting community POCT devices into laboratory and patient systems
  • Connecting off-site devices into middleware, LIMS and EPR systems
  • Reducing the risks and workload created by manual result reporting
  • Tackling the cost, cyber and information governance barriers to community connectivity
Darren Browne, Point of Care Testing Manager, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
12:20
Questions and answers with your speaker
12:30
Refreshments and networking lunch
1:30
Building a sustainable training and competency model for community POCT
  • Clarifying who should be involved in training across POCT, hospital, community and manufacturer teams
  • Understanding how training can be coordinated when services are separate or spread across different sites
  • Sharing practical approaches to keeping training manageable with limited POCT staffing
Liz Berry, Point of Care Testing Manager, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
2:00
Questions and answers with your speaker
Putting community POCT into practice
2:10
Embedding community POCT into routine service delivery
  • Using pilot learning to support safe expansion across PCNs, virtual wards and community services
  • Building governance, training and communication processes as community testing grows
  • Maintaining quality, oversight and clinical confidence across multiple community settings
Venera Genco, POCT Community Coordinator, Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services
2:40
Questions and answers with your speaker
2:50
Refreshments and networking break
3:10
Delivering pharmacy-led POCT to support cardiovascular prevention and earlier intervention
  • Sharing a Barts Health case study on cardiovascular POCT through community pharmacies
  • Using rapid lipid testing to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and support timely treatment decisions
  • Highlighting POCT governance, training and result-reporting lessons for improving access in underserved communities
Dr Sotiris Antoniou, Consultant Pharmacist, Cardiovascular Medicine, Barts Health NHS Trust
3:40
Questions and answers with your speaker
3:50
Interactive discussion: Next steps for your community POCT expansion
  • What governance, funding and service agreements have you investigated or put in place to enable roll out?
  • How can your team scale training, EQA, connectivity and result reporting with limited POCT staffing?
  • Who needs to be involved across pathology, community services, PCNs, pharmacy, virtual wards and ICBs to support sustainable expansion?
4:10
Chair’s closing remarks
4:15
Close of conference

Practical POCT insights

Speakers will share practical experience of expanding POCT beyond hospital settings, highlighting the governance, connectivity, training and implementation strategies that have supported successful service development. You will leave with practical ideas and greater confidence to progress community POCT within your own organisation.

Call for speakers

If you would like to give a presentation and share your work or the work of your service at this face-to-face course, 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.

Darren Browne
Job Title:
Point of Care Testing Manager
Organisation
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Biography
Dr Sotiris Antoniou
Job Title:
Consultant Pharmacist, Cardiovascular Medicine
Organisation
Barts Health NHS Trust
Biography
Venera Genco
Job Title:
POCT Community Coordinator
Organisation
Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services
Biography

Venera Genco is the Point of Care Testing (POCT) Coordinator for Community Services at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. In her role, she supports and governs near-patient diagnostic testing conducted outside traditional laboratories, overseeing the appraisal, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of POCT devices across community care settings. Venera's responsibilities include ensuring device suitability, maintaining analytical performance, delivering training, conducting audits and supporting quality control and assurance.

By integrating community POCT pathways with Frimley Health's broader diagnostic network, Venera plays a key part in bringing diagnostic capabilities closer to patients, improving care responsiveness, and upholding clinical governance standards.
Liz Berry
Job Title:
Point of Care Testing Manager
Organisation
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Biography

Pricing structure

  • Free to attend for NHS and Public Sector attendees

Please note:  Places at the forum are free to attend however, if you book a place and find yourself no longer able to attend, please email the bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk with at least 5 working days notice, so that we can reallocate your place. Failure to attend without prior written cancellation will result in a charge of £100 + VAT.


  • Commercial companies are invited to sponsor this day. Please email Vanessa Jarman for further details.

Venue details

Venue name: Birmingham City Football Club
Address: Cattell Road, St. Andrew's at Knighthead Park, Birmingham, B9 4RL
Tel: 0121 772 0101

Travelling to Birmingham City Football Club

Birmingham City Football Club is located a mile and a half from Birmingham City Centre and is easily accessible from main train stations, major road routes and motorway networks. Free parking is available on-site for all conference attendees, please head to the Kop Entrance, which is on Cattell Road. The Kop Entrance is also where the conference is taking place.

Nearest train stations:

Birmingham New Street: 1.7 miles (15-20 minute taxi)
Birmingham Moor Street: 1.6 miles (10 minute taxi)

Bus routes:

The Stadium is served by a number of bus routes. Buses which travel to St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park are the number 17, 60 & 97 buses.

Nearest motorways:

M5, M6, M40, M42
Click here to get directions using Google Maps

What happens once you have made your booking?

Once you have booked your place, SBK Healthcare will correspond with you using the email address you provided at the time of booking and you will be sent a formal confirmation. If you have not received this within 48 hours of making your booking please check your junk folder and then email bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk or call 01732 897788. .

Approximately one week prior to the conference you will be sent an email which will include all the final details for attendance on the day, including a final agenda and venue information.

Please inform us by writing to bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk if you have any special dietary or other requirements.

Reservations

If your funding has not yet been secured or you would like to hold your place with no obligation, you can reserve your place with us. Please email the reservations team at SBK Healthcare with your details:

  • Booking contact: name, job title, department, email and telephone number
  • Event(s) to reserve for: title and date
  • Delegate details (for each delegate): name, job title, department, email and telephone number
  • Organisation details: name and address

Alternatively you can make a confirmed booking by emailing the above information to the bookings team 

Terms and conditions

Modify registration
To let us know if your details are not correct when you have already registered, please email bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk.
 
Cancellations and substitutions
This event is free of charge to NHS and Public Sector attendees, if you book a place and find yourself unable to attend you must inform us by emailing the bookings team at SBK Healthcare at least 5 working days prior to the event taking place. Failure to attend without written cancellation, 5 days before the event will result in a charge of £100. Substitution attendees for delegates unable to attend after registering are acceptable at any time.
 
Conference 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 but any unavoidable change to the format will not constitute a reason to refund the fee. 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, a full refund will be made. We do not accept any liability for any incurred costs resulting from a postponement or cancellation.
 
Certificate of attendance
A certificate for Continuing Professional Development will be given to every attendee, as a record of continuing professional training and development.
 
Privacy notices
To view the details on how your data is being collected and used, please view our Privacy policy.

Expected attendees

This face-to-face conference is ideal for professionals involved in developing, supporting or expanding POCT across hospital, community, virtual ward, pharmacy and off-site settings. Book your place and join colleagues including:

  • POCT Managers, Coordinators and Leads
  • Laboratory, Quality and Governance Leads
  • Clinical Scientists and Biomedical Scientists
  • Consultant Clinical Biochemists and Chemical Pathologists
  • Pathology, Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine Leads
  • Service Managers, Operational Leads and Transformation Teams
  • Community, Virtual Ward, Pharmacy and Off-Site Testing Leads
  • Digital, IT, Middleware and Connectivity Leads supporting POCT delivery

Past attendee feedback

Across our POCT events, the focus is always on practical learning that reflects the real pressures, priorities and opportunities facing your service now. Delegates value hearing from experienced speakers, exploring current service challenges and connecting with colleagues. Hear what previous attendees have taken from our POCT events, from shared experience and useful ideas to practical actions they can bring back to their own teams:

“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

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

Implementing Pharmacogenetic POCT Devices Nationally Webinar, January, 2026

“Good variety of speakers and topics surrounding community POCT.”

Delivering POCT: Diagnostics in the Community, October, 2025

“Good event – very topical. Good opportunity to network.”

Delivering POCT: Diagnostics in the Community, October, 2025

“Very informative and lots of information that can be taken away and utilised.”

Delivering POCT: Diagnostics in the Community, October, 2025

“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

“Great Conference – it was much needed for the POCT Community.”

POCT National Diagnostics Forum, April, 2024

“A good learning experience. Interesting to hear what other POCT teams have achieved and their approach to things.”

POCT National Diagnostics Forum, April, 2024

“We are currently working on community projects which is all new so would be good to have consistency in the way forward.”

Achieving ISO 15189 Accreditation for POCT, June, 2023

View further comments on SBK Healthcare events on Trust Pilot.

Confirmed sponsors

At Roche, we support healthcare with a patient-focused approach. Our Near Patient Care offering combines Point of Care (POC) diagnostics and digital integration, enabling diagnostic testing across decentralised settings – from hospitals and emergency departments to GP practices, pharmacies, and home care.


At Werfen, we believe that quality and innovation are the key to improving people's health. That's why we work passionately to develop tools, reagents and software that improve the solutions and efficiency necessary in the most demanding challenges.

Confirmed exhibitors

    

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 trail-blazing forums offer 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 Jarman
Contact: 01732 897788 
Email: vanessa.jarman@sbk-healthcare.co.uk