BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Weqas - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Weqas X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.weqas.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Weqas REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20220327T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20221030T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260210 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260214 DTSTAMP:20260424T110725 CREATED:20251127T091903Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T092428Z UID:4999-1770681600-1771027199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:WHX Labs 2026 DESCRIPTION:Weqas will be joining the 850+ exhibitors at the newly rebranded WHX Labs 2026 (formerly MedLab). The event will once again be held in the fantastic Dubai World Trade Centre\, UAE. If you would like to chat to our team in attendance\, please visit us at stand H3.D17. \nMeet the team that will be attending WHX Labs this year:\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\nSamantha is the Operations Manager at Weqas with over 30 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine and over 25 years in EQA. Samantha is responsible for Operational Management of the Weqas EQA and IQC services. She represents Weqas at the United Kingdom – Proficiency Testing (UKPT) Committee\, is a member of the IFCC Working Group on Faecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT)\, sits on the Board of the European Organisation for External Quality Assurance Providers in Laboratory Medicine (EQALM) and sat on the committee for the revision of the International Standard\, General requirements for proficiency testing (ISO/IEC 17043) as one of the 2 UK representatives.\n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \nThis form has now closed. URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/whx-labs-2026/ LOCATION:Dubai World Trade Centre\, DWTC\, Sheikh Zayed Road\, Dubai\, Dubai\, United Arab Emirates CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/whxlabs-2026.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251209 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251211 DTSTAMP:20260424T110725 CREATED:20250408T154541Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251029T112145Z UID:4798-1765238400-1765411199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Weqas Annual POCT Conference 2025 DESCRIPTION:The 2025 Weqas Annual POCT Conference will take place in the Marriott Hotel\, Cardiff on 9th and 10th December. \n\nThis two-day event will focus on POCT EQA\, and POCT Applications and Innovation. A provisional programme is now available. \n\n\nRegister Now\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/weqas-annual-poct-conference-2025/ LOCATION:Marriott Hotel\, Cardiff Marriott Hotel\, Mill Lane\, Cardiff\, CF10 1EZ\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences,EQA Workshops ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-poct-thumb-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251201 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251203 DTSTAMP:20260424T110725 CREATED:20250422T093532Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T093532Z UID:4823-1764547200-1764719999@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:JCTLM 2025 DESCRIPTION: URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/jctlm-2025/ LOCATION:BIPM\, Bureau International des Poids et Mesures\, Pavillon de Breteuil\, 12 Bis Grande Rue\, Sevres\, 92310\, France CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/jctlm-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251111T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251111T130000 DTSTAMP:20260424T110725 CREATED:20250917T151033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T151033Z UID:4939-1762855200-1762866000@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Webinar: Getting it right for the patient\, are we good enough? DESCRIPTION:This will be a Joint Webinar involving GIRFT Pathology\, Bedfordshire Hospitals Laboratory Clinical Lead and Deputy MD and EQA experts from Birmingham Quality and Weqas. \nThis webinar will be on Zoom and is free to attend. It is aimed at Heads of Departments and other influential stakeholders; however\, everyone is welcome to attend\, but you must register individually. \nWe will focus on what lessons\, we as a profession\, can learn from recent HbA1c events and the impact on the patient perspective. Real patient experiences will be used to drive a debate which we invite you to ask questions via the registration process (see QR code above). \nPlease book by midnight Sunday 9th November to secure your place! \nRegister Now \nTopics and Speakers include: \n\nMartin Myers (GIRFT Pathology\, Co-Lead)\n\nIs our Quality Management System too focussed on Laboratory Processes\, and not enough on\nwhat decisions are being made on the results?\nHow do we define what Analytical Performance Specifications are suitable for the use of a test?\n\n\nDr Danielle B Freedman (Deputy Medical Director\, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT)\n\nWhat is more important\, Patients vs Laboratory Processes? (Debate)\n\n\nDr David Housley (Clinical Lead for Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology\, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT)\n\nThe laboratory perspective\, how to make best use of the resources that you already have available\n\n\nAnnette Thomas (Director\, Weqas)\n\nAnalytical Performance Specifications\, who is responsible? What is suitable?\n\n\nFinlay MacKenzie (Director\, Birmingham Quality)\n\n‘It’s Science\, not magic’ and the Missing Piece in current governance URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/webinar-getting-it-right-for-the-patient-are-we-good-enough/ CATEGORIES:Webinars ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/girft-banner.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251015 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251018 DTSTAMP:20260424T110725 CREATED:20250429T073018Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T102335Z UID:4842-1760486400-1760745599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:EQALM 2025 DESCRIPTION:The Weqas Team are looking forward to attending EQALM 2025\, this year’s host city is Leiden\, Netherlands. This event always delivers three days of insightful EQA presentations and discussions. \nMeet the team that will be attending EQALM this year:\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\nSamantha is the Operations Manager at Weqas with over 30 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Sam worked as a Biomedical Scientist at the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before moving to Weqas in 1998. Since 2010 she has been employed as the Operations Manager responsible for the day to day management of EQA / IQC services.\n\n\n\n\nPosters\nWeqas will be presenting four posters at this event\, which you can download below.\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Assessing the Accuracy and Specificity of Routine Assays for Total Bile Acids and their role in the Management of ICP\n 1 file(s) 325 KB October 15\, 2025\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n A study assessing total bilirubin assay variation across common laboratory methods\n 1 file(s) 290 KB October 15\, 2025\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ensuring accuracy of calculated parameters in Clinical Biochemistry\n 1 file(s) 341 KB October 15\, 2025\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Application and Validation of a Candidate Reference Measurement Method for Sodium using ICP-MS\n 1 file(s) 326 KB October 15\, 2025 URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/eqalm-2025/ LOCATION:Fletcher Wellness-Hotel Leiden\, Bargelaan 180\, Leiden\, 2333 CW\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/eqalm-2025-thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250922 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250926 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250124T140225Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T105133Z UID:4734-1758499200-1758844799@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:IBMS Congress 2025 DESCRIPTION:We will be exhibiting at the 2025 IBMS Congress in Birmingham from 22nd to 25th September. This biennial event is one of the biggest meetings dedicated to advancing laboratory-based medicine. We are delighted that our Director\, Annette Thomas\, and Deputy Director\, Gareth Davies\, have both been asked to talk at the event \n\n24th September @ 4:30pm – Clinical chemistry EQA report interpretation – Gareth Davies\n25th September @ 10:30am – The evolving role of POCT in pharmacies – Annette Thomas\n\n\nMeet some of the team that will be attending IBMS Congress this year:\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\nSamantha is the Operations Manager at Weqas with over 30 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Sam worked as a Biomedical Scientist at the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before moving to Weqas in 1998. Since 2010 she has been employed as the Operations Manager responsible for the day to day management of EQA / IQC services.\n\n\n\n\n\n \nNicola Blount\nEQA Client Manager\n\n\nNicola Blount is the EQA Client Manager at Weqas\, responsible for the day to day management of the Weqas EQA team and client issues. Nicola is committed to maintaining high professional standards\, participant satisfaction and has extensive POCT knowledge. Nicola believes that providing an exceptional experience with every participant she speaks with creates a positive change in EQA. Nicola has over 28 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine; worked as a Senior Biomedical Scientist and POCT Manager at Llandough Hospital part of the University Hospital of Wales Health Board. Nicola is a Fellow of the IBMS and a Chartered Scientist.\n\n\n\n\n\n \nSuzanne Hughes\nTraining & Quality Control Co-ordinator\n\nSuzanne is the Training & Quality Control Coordinator at Weqas\, with over 13 years of experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Laboratory Medicine\, Biochemistry\, and EQA Science. She leads the coordination of training\, education\, and staff development strategies\, while ensuring high standards in customer service\, confidentiality\, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements. Suzanne also oversees IQC and EQA protocols for analytical instruments\, driving continuous improvement by supporting adherence to the relevant ISO standards. A committed Member of the IBMS\, Suzanne is passionate about supporting the next generation of Healthcare and Biomedical Scientists.\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \nThis form has now closed. URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/ibms-congress-2025/ LOCATION:ICC Birmingham\, The International Convention Centre\, Broad Street\, Birmingham\, B1 2EA\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ibms-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250729 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250801 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250124T120906Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T081005Z UID:4732-1753747200-1754006399@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:ADLM 2025 DESCRIPTION:The Weqas Team are looking forward to returning to Chicago for ADLM 2025. If you are in attendance and would like to find out more about our services\, please drop by stand 213 in the main exhibition hall to meet us. \nMeet the team that will be attending ADLM this year:\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\nSamantha is the Operations Manager at Weqas with over 25 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Sam worked as a Biomedical Scientist at the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before moving to Weqas in 1998. Since 2010 she has been employed as the Operations Manager responsible for the day to day management of EQA / IQC services.\n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \n[contact-form-7 id=”337854f” title=”Request a meeting”] URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/adlm-2025/ LOCATION:McCormick Place\, McCormick Place\, 2301 S King Dr\, Chicago\, IL\, 60616\, United States CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/adlm-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250617 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250618 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250408T154357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250612T110309Z UID:4795-1750118400-1750204799@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Weqas Annual Laboratory Conference 2025 DESCRIPTION:The 2025 Weqas Annual Laboratory Conference will take place at the Glamorgan Cricket Ground\, Sophia Gardens\, Cardiff. \n\nThis one-day event will focus on EQA interpretation\, case studies\, getting the best out of your EQA data for ISO 15189:2022 compliance as well as what’s new and what are the hot topics. \n\n\nPre-Register Now\n\n \nClick here to view the programme \nLaboratory EQA & Management – Preliminary Programme\n\nTuesday 17th June 2025\nPlease Note: The times and schedule are a guide only and are subject to change.\n\n\n\n\nMeet and greet / Registration – 9:00am – 9:50am\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIntroduction / Welcome – 9:50am – 10:00am\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nGareth Davies & Samantha Jones\nWeqas \n\n\n\nTitle:\n EQA Interpretation of Laboratory results \n\n\n\n10:00am – 11:00am\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBreak – 11:00am – 11:20am\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nGareth Davies & Samantha Jones\nWeqas \n\n\n\nTitle:\nCase Studies Workshop\n\n\n\n11:20am – 12:00pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nSally Benton\nRoyal Surrey County NHSFT \n\n\nTitle:\nAre our FIT assays good enough and what is the symptomatic threshold?\n\n\n\n12:00pm – 12:45pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nDavid Housley & Emma English\nLuton and Dunstable Hospital NHS FT | University of Cambridge \n\n\nTitle:\nAre our HbA1c assays good enough?\n\n\n\n12:45pm – 1:25pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLunch – 1:25pm – 2:25pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nDavid Ducroq\nWeqas \n\n\n\nTitle:\n Understanding Measurement Traceability and Uncertainty\n\n\n\n2:25pm – 2:55pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nAnnette Thomas & Gareth Davies\nWeqas \n\n\n\nTitle:\nGetting the best out of your EQA data for ISO 15189:2022 compliance\n\n\n\n2:55pm – 3:25pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIndustry Session & Refreshments – 3:25pm – 3:40pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nCeri Parfitt\nWeqas \n\n\nTitle:\nHow are we ensuring the accuracy of our calculated parameters?\n\n\n\n3:40pm – 4:10pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n\nGordon Avery\nAbbott \n\n\nTitle:\n TBI markers – the new kid(s) on the block.\n\n\n\n4:10pm – 4:45pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTea\, Coffee & Close – 4:45pm URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/weqas-annual-laboratory-conference-2025/ LOCATION:Glamorgan Cricket Ground\, Glamorgan Cricket Ground\, Sophia Gardens\, Cardiff\, CF11 9XR\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences,EQA Workshops ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-laboratory-thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250518 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250523 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20241211T081313Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T091919Z UID:4700-1747526400-1747958399@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:EuroMedLab 2025 DESCRIPTION:We are pleased to be heading out to Brussels\, Belgium to exhibit at EuroMedLab 2025. This event is the 26th European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine\, and will serve as a platform to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in laboratory medicine\, exploring their potential applications in healthcare. \nOur staff will be on Stand 68 in the exhibition hall during the event. Please feel free to drop by for a chat. \n\nPosters\nWe will be displaying the following posters\, which will be available to view on the interactive totems at the event: \n\nAnalytical performance specifications (APS) – are we providing clinically appropriate APS for External Quality Assessment?\nDevelopment of an External Quality Assessment Programme for a point-of-care test for phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1)\nDevelopment of an Accredited External Quality Assessment (EQA) Programme for Renal Calculi\n\n\nMeet the team that will be attending Medlab this year:\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nDirector\n\n\nAnnette Thomas is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with over 40 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine\, over 20 years of which has been as Director of Weqas. She is also the National Point of Care Clinical Lead for Wales\, and an internationally recognised expert in EQA and POCT.\n\n\n\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nGemma Brett\nHCS Practitioner Advanced (Research)\n\n\nGemma Brett is the Senior Scientist in the Weqas Reference Measurement Laboratory\, with over 15 years’ experience using analytical techniques such as chromatography\, mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy primarily for research and development. Gemma’s primary role at Weqas is to develop and validate reference measurement methods in order to assign traceable analyte values for calibrator\, QC and EQA material used within Laboratory Medicine. Gemma is also responsible for measurement and equipment troubleshooting and maintaining oversight of reference measurements being undertaken.\n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \n[contact-form-7 id=”337854f” title=”Request a meeting”] URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/euromedlab-2025/ LOCATION:Bruxelles Expo\, Bruxelles Expo\, Place de Belgique 1\, Brussels\, 1020\, Belgium CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/euromedlab-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250510 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250511 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250507T160503Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250507T160503Z UID:4856-1746835200-1746921599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:5th POCT Advances Conference DESCRIPTION:Weqas Director\, Annette Thomas\, has been asked to share her expertise at the National Reference Laboratory’s 5th POCT Advances Conference in Abu Dhabi. She will be giving talks on: \n\n\nDeveloping a National Governance Policy for the Management of POCT\n\n\nDeveloping a CRP Testing service in Primary & Community Care for Acute Respiratory Infections & COPD\n\n\n\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nWeqas Director\n\n\nAnnette Thomas is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with over 40 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine\, over 20 years of which has been as Director of Weqas. She is also the National Point of Care Clinical Lead for Wales\, and an internationally recognised expert in EQA and POCT. \n\n\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/5th-poct-advances-conference/ LOCATION:Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi\, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi\, 59 Hamouda Bin Ali Al Dhaheri St\, Al Maryah Island\, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square\, Abu Dhabi\, United Arab Emirates CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/poct-advances-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250319 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250321 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250124T115801Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T084458Z UID:4730-1742342400-1742515199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Biomedica 2025 DESCRIPTION:BioMedica is Ireland’s premier clinical science and laboratory medicine conference and our team have always enjoyed their visits to Dublin. Hosted by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM)\, the biennial conference will be held in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) this year. \nOur staff will be on Stand F1 in the exhibition hall during the event\, please feel free to drop by for a chat. \nMeet the team that will be attending Biomedica this year:\n\n\n \nNicola Blount\nEQA Client Manager\n\n\nNicola Blount is the EQA Client Manager at Weqas\, responsible for the day to day management of the Weqas EQA team and client issues. Nicola is committed to maintaining high professional standards\, participant satisfaction and has extensive POCT knowledge. Nicola believes that providing an exceptional experience with every participant she speaks with creates a positive change in EQA. Nicola has over 28 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine; worked as a Senior Biomedical Scientist and POCT Manager at Llandough Hospital part of the University Hospital of Wales Health Board. Nicola is a Fellow of the IBMS and a Chartered Scientist. \n\n\n\n\n\n \nJulie Morris\nContracts & Logistics Manager\n\n\nJulie is the Logistics and Contract Manager\, bringing over 40 years of experience in healthcare. She began her career in the steroid assay laboratory at the Tenovus Cancer Charity\, supporting vital research. In 1998\, she moved to Laboratory Medicine at the University Hospital of Wales before joining Weqas in 2004. \nIn her current role\, Julie oversees the day-to-day management of stock control and supplier contracts\, working closely with the Procurement Team at the University Hospital of Wales. She ensures the continuous supply of critical materials to support the growing demand for Weqas’ EQA services. \nJulie also leads the coordination of bespoke services for clients in over 40 countries. This includes liaising with customs agents and courier services\, as well as navigating import and export regulations to ensure global distribution. \n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \nThis form has now closed URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/biomedica-2025/ LOCATION:The Convention Centre Dublin\, The Convention Centre Dublin\, Spencer Dock\, N Wall Quay\, North Wall\, Dublin\, Dublin\, Ireland CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/biomedica-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250318T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250318T160000 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250305T081549Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T070533Z UID:4754-1742302800-1742313600@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:External Quality Assessment (EQA) Workshop - Dublin 2025 DESCRIPTION:We are pleased to invite you to an External Quality Assessment (EQA) Workshop at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. This session will focus on report interpretation and EQA case studies\, with expert insights from Nicola Blount\, EQA Client Manager\, who will guide you in understanding and applying EQA principles effectively. \n\n\n \nNicola Blount\nEQA Client Manager\n\n\nNicola Blount is the EQA Client Manager at Weqas\, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Weqas EQA team and client issues. Nicola is committed to maintaining high professional standards\, participant satisfaction and has extensive POCT knowledge. Nicola believes that providing an exceptional experience with every participant she speaks with creates a positive change in EQA. Nicola has over 28 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine; worked as a Senior Biomedical Scientist and POCT Manager at Llandough Hospital part of the University Hospital of Wales Health Board. Nicola is a Fellow of the IBMS and a Chartered Scientist. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is free of charge\, but spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come\, first-served basis. Please note that lunch will not be provided. \nWe look forward to seeing you there. \n\nHow to Register\nIf you would like to attend\, please complete the online registration form below. \n[contact-form-7 id=”77b8d88″ title=”EQA Workshop”] \n\nAdditional Information \nView hospital map & parking locations. URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/dublin-workshop/ LOCATION:St. Vincent’s University Hospital\, Nurse Education Centre\, St. Vincent's University Hospital\, Dublin\, Dublin\, Ireland CATEGORIES:EQA Workshops ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/workshop-thumb-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250203 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250207 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20250108T083411Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T112136Z UID:4712-1738540800-1738886399@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Medlab 2025 DESCRIPTION:Weqas will be joining the 800+ exhibitors at this years Medlab 2025. The event will once again be held in the fantastic Dubai World Trade Centre\, UAE. If you would like to chat to our team in attendance\, please visit us at stand Z2.K15. \nMeet the team that will be attending Medlab this year:\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nCeri Parfitt\nR&D Clinical Scientist\n\n\nCeri Parfitt has recently joined the team at Weqas as a Clinical Scientist Specialist in EQA\, with over 12 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine. Ceri is responsible for overseeing research projects within Weqas\, developing new EQA programmes and assisting with quality improvement initiatives. She also supports the Duty Biochemist rota at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff\, authorising laboratory results and providing clinical advice to healthcare professionals.\n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \nForm now closed URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/medlab-2025/ LOCATION:Dubai World Trade Centre\, DWTC\, Sheikh Zayed Road\, Dubai\, Dubai\, United Arab Emirates CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/medlab-header-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241209 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241211 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20240111T164122Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241115T150757Z UID:4317-1733702400-1733875199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Weqas Annual Conference 2024 DESCRIPTION:This year’s conference will take place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th December 2024. Day one will focus on ‘EQA interpretation and laboratory performance’\, and day two will cover ‘Point of care testing performance and innovation’. With a blend of clinical and scientific sessions on “innovation and clinical pathway redesign” we hope you can join us for some exciting discussions. \n\n\nRegister Now\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/weqas-annual-conference-2024/ LOCATION:Hilton Manchester Deansgate\, 303 Deansgate\, Manchester\, M3 4LQ\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences,EQA Workshops ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241116 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20241108T133741Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241108T133822Z UID:4692-1731542400-1731715199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:4th POCT Africa International Colloquium DESCRIPTION:Weqas Director\, Annette Thomas\, will be presenting at the 4th POCT Africa International Colloquium in Cape Town\, South Africa. This event will highlight how POCT is transforming healthcare by improving accessibility\, reducing delays\, and enhancing patient outcomes. Annette will share her expertise on “Assuring the Quality in POCT – delivering the National POCT Plan in Wales”. \n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nWeqas Director\n\n\nTitle: Assuring the Quality in POCT – delivering the National POCT Plan in Wales\nDate: Thursday\, 14th November 2024\nTime: 5:20pm \n\n\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/4th-poct-africa-international-colloquium/ LOCATION:Cape Town Hotel School\, Granger Bay Campus\, Mouille Point\, Cape Town\, 8005\, South Africa CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poct-africa.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241111 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241115 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20241107T074608Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241107T074810Z UID:4688-1731283200-1731628799@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Medica 2024 DESCRIPTION:Our Head of Department for the Weqas Reference Measurement Service\, David Ducroq\, will be in Düsseldorf this week for Medica 2024. He is looking forward to discovering the latest advancements in robotics and automation systems\, discussing our Reference Measurement services\, as well as meeting up with current suppliers. \n\n\n \nDavid Ducroq\nHead of the Reference Measurement Laboratory\n\n\nDavid is the Principal Clinical Biochemist with a specific role in the management and development of services within the Reference Measurement Laboratory since 2002. With over 35 years laboratory experience\, David has a keen interest in metrology and measurement traceability. He is currently the JCTLM Database Working Group (JCTLM-DBWG) review team leader for electrolytes and blood gases. He is a JCTLM-DBWG review team member for both the non-peptide hormones group and metabolites and substrates group. He is also a member of the JCTLM-WG-TEP (Traceability: Education and Promotion). He is also a member of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (ACB) Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Special Interest Group.\n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\n[contact-form-7 id=”337854f” title=”Request a meeting”] URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/medica-2024/ LOCATION:Messe Düsseldorf\, Stockumer Kirchstraße 61\, Düsseldorf\, 40474\, Germany CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/medica-2024.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241016 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241019 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20240307T100708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251031T074829Z UID:4384-1729036800-1729295999@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:EQALM 2024 DESCRIPTION:The Weqas Team are looking forward to attending EQALM 2024 in Vienna\, this event always delivers three days of insightful EQA presentations and discussions. One of the presentations this year will be delivered by Weqas Director\, Annette Thomas\, which will be on ‘Analytical performance specifications – are we providing clinically appropriate EQA?’. \nMeet the team that will be attending EQALM this year:\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nDirector\n\n\nAnnette Thomas is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with over 40 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine\, over 20 years of which has been as Director of Weqas. She is also the National Point of Care Clinical Lead for Wales\, and an internationally recognised expert in EQA and POCT.\n\n\n\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\nSamantha is the Operations Manager at Weqas with over 25 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Sam worked as a Biomedical Scientist at the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before moving to Weqas in 1998. Since 2010 she has been employed as the Operations Manager responsible for the day to day management of EQA / IQC services.\n\n\n\n  \nPosters\nWeqas will be presenting three posters at this event\, which you can download below.\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Review of Lactate Performance on the Weqas Blood Gas External Quality Assessment (EQA) Programme A comparison of POCT and Lab Instruments and their suitability for use in Sepsis Management\n 1 file(s) 575.30 KB May 15\, 2024\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Use of Point of Care (POCT) C-Reactive Protein (CRP) to support antibiotic prescribing in primary care – Are they good enough? A Review of Performance on the Weqas POCT CRP Programme\n 1 file(s) 352.86 KB May 15\, 2024\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Review of Performance on the Weqas Quantitative Faecal Haemoglobin (FIT) EQA Programme – Are current analysers ‘FIT’ for purpose?\n 1 file(s) 429.47 KB May 15\, 2024 URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/eqalm-2024/ LOCATION:Hotel Savoyen\, Hotel Savoyen\, Rennweg 16\, Vienna\, 1030\, Austria CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/eqalm-2024-thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240925 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240928 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20240813T081303Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240909T090842Z UID:4624-1727222400-1727481599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:29th ADLM International CPOCT Symposium DESCRIPTION:Weqas Director\, Annette Thomas\, has been asked to speak at the 29th ADLM International CPOCT Symposium in San Diego. She will share her insight on the skills and knowledge required to be an effective POCT Coordinator from her perspective as National POCT clinical Lead in Wales. The symposium promises to deliver stimulating discussions on the latest science and cutting-edge technological advances through a keynote lecture\, scientific sessions\, panel discussions\, and interactive poster receptions. \n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nWeqas Director\n\n\nSession 1: Choosing and Supporting POCT Coordinators\nTitle: POCT Coordinators – How to be effective in their role\, a UK perspective\nDate: Thursday\, 26th September 2024\nTime: 9:00am \n\n\n\n  \nWhat is the ADLM International CPOCT Symposium?\n\nA full conference experience focused on the latest in point-of-care.\nHeld once every two years\, this year its located on the beautiful San Diego bay.\nMore than 2 days of keynotes\, sessions\, posters\, and exhibitors.\nProvides an excellent opportunity to connect with other conference-goers and experts. URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/29th-adlm-international-cpoct-symposium/ LOCATION:Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina\, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina\, San Diego\, CA\, CA 92101\, United States CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/adlm-cpoct-2024.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240728 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240802 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20230815T105135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240726T101822Z UID:4202-1722124800-1722556799@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:ADLM 2024 DESCRIPTION:The Weqas Team are looking forward to returning to Chicago for ADLM 2024. If you are in attendance and would like to find out more about our services\, please drop by stand 104 in the main exhibition hall to meet us. \nMeet the team that will be attending ADLM this year:\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nDirector\n\n\nAnnette Thomas is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with over 40 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine\, over 20 years of which has been as Director of Weqas. She is also the National Point of Care Clinical Lead for Wales\, and an internationally recognised expert in EQA and POCT.\n\n\n\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n[contact-form-7 id=”337854f” title=”Request a meeting”] URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/adlm-2024/ LOCATION:McCormick Place\, McCormick Place\, 2301 S King Dr\, Chicago\, IL\, 60616\, United States CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/adlm-2024.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240626 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240627 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20240523T105050Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240604T085028Z UID:4536-1719360000-1719446399@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:MediWales Connects DESCRIPTION:Our Director\, Annette Thomas\, in her role as the National POCT Clinical Lead will be speaking at the MediWales Connects conference in Cardiff. She will be leading a session on ‘Point of Care Testing and Diagnostics’\, discussing the challenges in developing the National POCT Strategy for Wales and showcasing the successes to date.\n \nAs an organisation\, we are delighted to see our Director sharing her knowledge at MediWales. We appreciate the collaborative and business opportunities provided by MediWales as the independent life science network for Wales. Annette will be more than happy to discuss our organisation’s plans in developing EQA for POCT and how we support education and training.\n  \n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nWeqas Director\n\n\nAnnette Thomas is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with over 40 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine\, over 20 years of which has been as Director of Weqas. Annette is also the national clinical lead for POCT representing POCT in Welsh Government advisory Committees and chairs the POCT Strategic Board and POCT Co-ordinators Network in Wales. She is a member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Task Force on Global Lab Quality (TF-GLQ) and past chair of the Committee on Analytical Quality (C-AQ). \n\n\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/mediwales-connects/ LOCATION:Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel\, 24 26 Newport Road\, Cardiff\, Cardiff\, CF24 0DD\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mediwales-2024.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240526 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240531 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20230815T101036Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T112836Z UID:4200-1716681600-1717113599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:WorldLab 2024 DESCRIPTION:The Weqas Team are looking forward to meeting you in WorldLab 2024 in Dubai. Please drop by stand 33 in the main exhibition hall to meet us. We will be showcasing our new web portal\, Weqas Connect\, our EQA Laboratory and POCT Programmes and our bespoke POCT services. We will also be presenting posters on the Performance of Lactate on Blood Gas analysers for Sepsis Management\, POCT CRP performance as a tool to support antibiotic prescribing\, and the Performance on Quantitative Faecal Haemoglobin (FIT) at the critical threshold. \nMeet the team that will be attending WorldLab this year:\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nDirector\n\n\nAnnette Thomas is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board with over 40 years’ experience in Laboratory Medicine\, over 20 years of which has been as Director of Weqas. She is also the National Point of Care Clinical Lead for Wales\, and an internationally recognised expert in EQA and POCT.\n\n\n\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\nGareth Davies is the Deputy Director\, Principal Biochemist and Research and Development Manager at Weqas with over 15 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Gareth is responsible for new programme development and provides EQA interpretation\, support and troubleshooting. He is a member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group and All Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group\, and a member of the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).\n\n\n\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\nSamantha is the Operations Manager at Weqas with over 25 years experience in Laboratory Medicine. Sam worked as a Biomedical Scientist at the Medical Biochemistry and Immunology Department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before moving to Weqas in 1998. Since 2010 she has been employed as the Operations Manager responsible for the day to day management of EQA / IQC services.\n\n\n\n\nPosters\nWeqas will be presenting three posters at this event\, which you can download below.\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Review of Lactate Performance on the Weqas Blood Gas External Quality Assessment (EQA) Programme A comparison of POCT and Lab Instruments and their suitability for use in Sepsis Management\n 1 file(s) 575.30 KB May 15\, 2024\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Use of Point of Care (POCT) C-Reactive Protein (CRP) to support antibiotic prescribing in primary care – Are they good enough? A Review of Performance on the Weqas POCT CRP Programme\n 1 file(s) 352.86 KB May 15\, 2024\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Review of Performance on the Weqas Quantitative Faecal Haemoglobin (FIT) EQA Programme – Are current analysers ‘FIT’ for purpose?\n 1 file(s) 429.47 KB May 15\, 2024\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\nThis form has now closed. URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/worldlab-2024/ LOCATION:Dubai World Trade Centre\, DWTC\, Sheikh Zayed Road\, Dubai\, Dubai\, United Arab Emirates CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/worldlab-2024.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240424 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240425 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20240322T112524Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240422T080353Z UID:4412-1713916800-1714003199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:POCT National Diagnostics Forum DESCRIPTION:Weqas Director\, Annette Thomas\, has been asked to give a talk at the POCT National Diagnostics Forum in Birmingham. The meeting brings together POCT Managers and Co-ordinators to share challenges and leave with new ideas on how to integrate diagnostic services effectively outside of the hospital. \n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nWeqas Director\n\n\nWednesday\, 24th April 2024\nTitle: Wales’s National POCT Strategy: Setting up and developing point-of-care testing services\nTime: 11:20am \n\n\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/poct-national-diagnostics-forum/ LOCATION:Birmingham City Football Ground\, St Andrews @ Knighthead Park\, Cattell Rd\, Birmingham\, B9 4RL\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/diagnostics-forum.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240404 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240406 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20240322T141151Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240405T074721Z UID:4415-1712188800-1712361599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Point-of-Care Testing: State of the Art and Perspectives DESCRIPTION:Weqas Director\, Annette Thomas\, has been asked to give a talk at the International Symposium ‘Point-of-Care Testing: State of the Art and Perspectives’ in Venice. The aim of this two-day meeting is to discuss the state of the art and future perspectives of POCT in different scenarios and clinical settings to provide recommendations and practical guidelines for a more effective and safe adoption of POCT. \n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nWeqas Director\n\n\nFriday\, 5th April 2024\nTitle: POCT and Laboratory Networks\nTime: 3:00pm \n\n\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/point-of-care-testing-state-of-the-art-and-perspectives/ LOCATION:The Home of The Human Safety Net\, Procuratie Vecchie\, 3rd Floor Piazza San Marco\, Venice\, 128\, Italy CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/international-symposium.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231212 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231214 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20230331T080432Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231130T131930Z UID:4133-1702339200-1702511999@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:Weqas Annual Conference 2023 DESCRIPTION:We are delighted to announce that the 2023 Weqas Annual Conference will take place at the Hilton Hotel\, Cardiff. The hotel is conveniently located in Cardiff city centre with stunning views overlooking Cardiff Castle and City Hall. \n \nThe conference this year will focus on Point of care testing and the future of diagnostics. With a blend of “how to” workshops and scientific sessions on “innovation and clinical pathway redesign” we hope you can join us for some exciting discussions. \n\nYou can view the updated programme here. \n \n\nRegister Now\n\n  URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/weqas-annual-conference-2023/ LOCATION:Hilton Hotel\, Kingsway\, Cardiff\, CF10 3HH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences,EQA Workshops ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-thumb2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231204 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231206 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20231204T085337Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231206T085258Z UID:4248-1701648000-1701820799@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:JCTLM 2023 DESCRIPTION:This biennial event is the JCTLM Members’ and Stakeholders’ meeting and Workshop on ‘EQA schemes elucidating the clinical suitability of laboratory results’ held at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) in France. David Ducroq\, Head of the Reference Measurement Laboratory at Weqas\, has been asked to give a presentation on Tuesday 5th December 2023 entitled ‘Common programme structure – reporting’. \n\n\n \nDavid Ducroq\nHead of the Reference Measurement Laboratory\n\n\nTitle: Common programme structure – reporting\nSession 3: EQA principles\, practice\, and practical use\nDate: Tuesday 5th December 2023 \n\n\n\n \nDavid’s presentation will cover a section of the work being achieved through HALMA to support informed global decisions for the best clinical outcomes\, of which he is the chair of the measurand working group. HALMA is a joint task force set up by EQALM (External Quality Assurance Providers in Laboratory Medicine) and the ICHCLR (International Consortium for Harmonization of Clinical Laboratory Results) to monitor harmonization of measurands in laboratory medicine through data aggregation (HALMA). \n\n\n“The primary purpose of HALMA is to assess harmonization of the IVD industry through aggregated EQA data for different measurands on an international basis. Harmonization will be assessed by providing information on differences between peer group target values of measurement procedures and a true value\, or between peer group target values when no true value is available.” \nHALMA \n\n\nAlso on the 6th December\, David will be taking part in the Database Working Group meeting discussing the submissions for the JCTLM database as part of his role as the Team Leader for the ‘Electrolytes and Blood Gases’ Review Team and a member of the ‘Non-Peptide Hormones’ and ‘Metabolites and Substrates’ Review Teams. These reviews are completed by experts in their fields to ensure a robust independent review against agreed-upon standards. \n\n\n“The JCTLM database lists higher-order reference materials\, measurement methods and services to be used in calibration hierarchies for value assigning calibrators and trueness control materials for quantities measured by in vitro diagnostic medical devices.” \nJCTLM URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/jctlm-2023/ LOCATION:BIPM\, Bureau International des Poids et Mesures\, Pavillon de Breteuil\, 12 Bis Grande Rue\, Sevres\, 92310\, France CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jctlm-2023.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231018 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231021 DTSTAMP:20260424T110726 CREATED:20231016T090045Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241017T074311Z UID:4179-1697587200-1697846399@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:EQALM 2023 DESCRIPTION:The 2023 EQALM Symposium and General Assembly will be held in Lyon\, France\, on 18-20th October 2023. As always\, we look forward to attending this year’s EQALM event. Our Deputy Director will be presenting on ‘Performance Assessment of Point of Care Testing for Blood Glucose – a 5 year review’. We also have 4 poster presentations\, which can be found below. \nOur Deputy Director and Operations Manager will be attending EQALM this year:\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\n  \n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form: \nThis form has now closed. \n\nPosters\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Weqas Interpretive programmes\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB October 16\, 2023\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Post-analytical EQA –Porphyrin Interpretative Clinical Cases\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB October 16\, 2023\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Performance Assessment of Point of Care Testing for Blood Glucose –a 5 Year Review\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB October 16\, 2023\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accuracy of pO2 –a 20 year overview of blood gas performance\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB October 16\, 2023 URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/eqalm-2023/ LOCATION:Sofitel Lyon Bellecour\, 20 Quai du Dr Gailleton\, Lyon\, 69002\, France CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/eqalm-2023-thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231012 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231014 DTSTAMP:20260424T110727 CREATED:20230719T084436Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230719T084436Z UID:4182-1697068800-1697241599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:CELME 2023 DESCRIPTION: URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/celme-2023/ LOCATION:Charles University\, Opletalova 38\, 110 00 Staré Město\, Prague\, Czech Republic CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/celme-2023.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230925 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230929 DTSTAMP:20260424T110727 CREATED:20230329T154054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230928T155728Z UID:4132-1695600000-1695945599@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:IBMS Congress 2023 DESCRIPTION:We will be exhibiting at the 2023 IBMS Congress in Birmingham from 25th to 28th September. This biennial event is one of the biggest meetings dedicated to advancing laboratory-based medicine. We are delighted that our Deputy Director\, Gareth Davies\, has been asked to talk on the topic ‘Development of a new EQA programme’. \n  \n\n \nGareth Davies\nWeqas Deputy Director\n\n\n“The key objective of EQA is in identifying performance issues and providing the necessary tools to help resolve those issues. EQA shouldn’t be seen as a ‘tick box’ or ‘pass/fail’ exercise but should be used to support laboratories in continuously improving services for the benefit of patients.” \n\n\n \nAs always\, we will be at stand R11. Our staff will be pleased to demonstrate the new Participant EQA portal\, provide trouble shooting advice\, and discuss new developments. \n\nPresentation\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Development of a new EQA Programme - Gareth Davies\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB September 28\, 2023 URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/ibms-congress/ LOCATION:ICC Birmingham\, The International Convention Centre\, Broad Street\, Birmingham\, B1 2EA\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ibms-2023.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230725 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230728 DTSTAMP:20260424T110727 CREATED:20230329T153935Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241017T074822Z UID:4130-1690243200-1690502399@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:AACC 2023 DESCRIPTION:We will once again be exhibiting at the AACC Clinical Lab Expo in 2023. The 75th Expo will take place in Anaheim\, California on the 25th – 27th July. If you are attending\, please come and visit us on booth 677. \nMeet the team that will be attending AACC this year:\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nDirector\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\n  \n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form: \nThis form has now closed. \n\nPosters\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Performance Assessment of Point of Care Testing for Blood Glucose –a 5 Year Review\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB October 16\, 2023 URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/aacc-2023/ LOCATION:Anaheim Convention Center\, 800 W Katella Ave\, Anaheim\, CA\, 92802\, United States CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/aacc-2023.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230521 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20230526 DTSTAMP:20260424T110727 CREATED:20230329T153613Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241017T074455Z UID:4127-1684627200-1685059199@www.weqas.com SUMMARY:EuroMedLab 2023 DESCRIPTION:We are pleased to be exhibiting at EUROMEDLAB WORLDLAB Roma 2023. Please drop by booth 203 in the main exhibition hall. We look forward to seeing you. \nMeet the team that will be attending EuroMedLab this year:\n\n\n \nAnnette Thomas\nDirector\n\n\n \nGareth Davies\nDeputy Director\n\n\n \nSamantha Jones\nOperations Manager\n\n\n\nRequest a meeting\nIf you would like to book a meeting with us\, please fill out the below form:\n \nThis form has now closed. \n\nPosters\nWeqas will be presenting three posters at this event\, which you can download below.\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Does the Performance of Routine Bile Acid Methods Meet the Requirement for Risk Management of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy?\n 1 file(s) 467.54 KB May 16\, 2023\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Analytical interferences due to challenging samples an 12 year overview from the Weqas Serum Chemistry and Indices Programme\n 1 file(s) 1.13 MB May 16\, 2023\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accuracy of pO2 –a 20 year overview of blood gas performance\n 1 file(s) 1.6 MB October 16\, 2023 URL:https://www.weqas.com/event/euromedlab-2023/ LOCATION:La Nuvola\, La Nuvola\, Viale della Pittura\, Viale Asia\, 40 /44\, Roma\, 00144\, Italy CATEGORIES:Conferences ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.weqas.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/euromedlab-2023-2.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR