ACB · London W6 8RF Email: sophie.barnes ... Our front cover shows Dr Jason Gill from the ... You are probably already aware that the ACB supports the “Voice of Young

In this issue

Bosomworth’sEpic JourneyEnds atGolden GateBridge

Valuing LaboratoryMedicine

Halloran SaysThanks onYouTube

Timely Pension Advice

Old ACB NewsEditors Reminisce in Surrey

Expert PanelRevisited . . .Includes Video Link

The Association for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine | Issue 629 | September 2015

ACBNews

About ACB NewsThe Editor is responsible for the finalcontent. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the ACB. EditorProfessor Jonathan BergDepartment of Clinical BiochemistryCity HospitalDudley RoadBirmingham B18 7QHTel: 07792-912163/0121-507-5353Fax: 0121-507-5290Email: [email protected]

Associate Editors Mrs Sophie BarnesDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry12th Floor, Lab BlockCharing Cross HospitalFulham Palace RoadLondon W6 8RFEmail: [email protected]

Dr Gina Frederick Pathology Laboratory, Level 5Royal Derby HospitalUttoxeter RoadDerby DE22 3NEEmail: [email protected]

Mr Ian HanningDepartment of Clinical BiochemistryHull Royal InfirmaryAnlaby RoadHull HU3 2JZEmail: [email protected]

Dr Derren Ready Microbial DiseasesEastman Dental Hospital University College London Hospitals (UCLH) 256 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8LD Email: [email protected]

Situations Vacant AdvertisingPlease contact the ACB Office:Tel: 0207-403-8001 Fax: 0207-403-8006Email: [email protected]

Display Advertising & InsertsPRC Associates Ltd1st Floor Offices115 Roebuck RoadChessingtonSurrey KT9 1JZTel: 0208-337-3749 Fax: 0208-337-7346Email: [email protected]

ACB Administrative OfficeAssociation for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine130-132 Tooley StreetLondon SE1 2TUTel: 0207-403-8001 Fax: 0207-403-8006Email: [email protected]

ACB PresidentDr Gwyn McCreanorTel: 01536-492692Email: [email protected]: @ACBPresident

ACB Home Pagehttp://www.acb.org.uk

Printed by Swan Print Ltd, BedfordISSN 1461 0337© Association for Clinical Biochemistry &Laboratory Medicine 2015

ACBNews

General News page 4

Practice FRCPath Style Calculations page 12

Current Topics page 13

Federation News page 18

Personal View page 21

Letters page 23

Obituary page 24

ACB News Crossword page 25

Situations Vacant page 26

Issue 629 • September 2015

The monthly magazine for clinical science

Issue 629 | September 2015 | ACB News

Front cover: Dr Jason Gill ispresented with a memento ofthe Professors’ Prize Lecture inCardiff

4 | General News

ACB News | Issue 629 | September 2015

Retired Section – Lapworth EmailPlease note that the email address at thebottom of last month’s article about the Retired Members’ section was incorrect. It should have read:[email protected] �

IFCC Worldlab Durban 2017Multi-omics and LaboratoryMedicine22nd-25th October 2017Durban International Convention CentreDurban, South Africa

23rd International Congress of ClinicalChemistry57th Meeting of the South African Associationfor Clinical Biochemistry5th Congress of the African Federation ofClinical Chemistry

SudokuThis month’s puzzle

Lastmonth’ssolution

BMS RegistrationRenewal Starts 1st SeptemberThe Health and Care Professions Council(HCPC) registration renewal period forBiomedical Scientists opened on Tuesday 1stSeptember 2015 and closes on Monday 30thNovember 2015. The HCPC will write to all registered

Biomedical Scientists at the beginning ofSeptember with information on how to renew. To renew, registrants must complete aprofessional declaration and pay a renewal fee no later than midnight on 30th November.The easiest and quickest way to do this is viathe online system. More information,including video guides, is available atwww.hcpc-uk.org/renewA random sample of 2.5 per cent of the

profession will also be selected to submit aContinuing Professional Development (CPD)profile during this period. Those selected foraudit will receive a separate letter after therenewal notices are sent out. Moreinformation, including sample profiles, activitytypes and video guides, is available atwww.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/cpdThe renewal process now includes a

professional indemnity declaration followingnew Government legislation requiring allprofessions to sign a declaration saying theyare covered by professional indemnity. Theregistration fee paid on renewal is taxdeductible, which means registrants payingthe standard 20 per cent tax rate can reclaim a20 per cent refund from HMRC. Registrantscan contact the HCPC Registration Departmentwith any queries on renewal or the CPD auditprocess from Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm, Tel: 0845 3004 472. �


6 | General News

ACB Council was delighted to host the AnnualAwards at their meeting on 9th July 2015. TheAward recipients are proposed by individuals,regions or Council and considered at theCouncil meeting in March of each year. Thosethat are approved by Council are taken to theAGM for ratification.It is great to see the amazing people who

are nominated and receive these awards but itis also chilling to realise that these people,who have achieved so much during their longdistinguished careers, are retiring from ourprofession. This will be a challenge and anopportunity for the younger members of theprofession.The awards are in four categories:Emeritus members are those who have

made an exceptional contribution to the aimsand objects of the ACB and this was awardedto 5 exceptional individuals. Robert Hill andRick Jones were nominated by the TrentNorthern and Yorkshire Region, Paul Klapperwas nominated by the North West Region,Geoff Lester and Mike Thomas werenominated by the Southern Region and SteveSmith was nominated by the West MidlandsRegion.Fellow members are those who have made a

significant contribution to the profession andthis was awarded to 5 individuals. Elizabeth

Boxall and Sue Skidmore were nominated bythe West Midlands Region, Ian Holbrook andDavid Robertshaw were nominated by theTrent Northern and Yorkshire Region andAram Rudenski was nominated by the NorthWest Region.Honorary members are those who have

made a distinguished contribution to ClinicalBiochemistry and/or Laboratory Medicine at aninternational level and there was one award inthis category which went to Stephen Halloranfollowing a nomination from the SouthernRegion.Friend of the Association is an award given

to a person who has made a positivecontribution to the aims of the Association but is not eligible to be an Ordinary Memberof the Association. The recipients were Andy Bufton, Doris-Ann Williams, Carla Deakinand Ian Chambers.Not all the recipients were able to attend

Council to collect their award but those whodid are in the photo below. David Robertshawwas presented with his award at the TNYregional meeting later in July.Individuals and regions are asked annually

to reflect on those who have retired duringthe year and consider whether they fulfil anyof the above categories and so merit anomination to Council next year. �

ACB Awards 2015

8 | General News


HCPC Seeks NewCouncil MemberThe Health and Care Professions Council(HCPC) is seeking to appoint one registrantmember to its Council. Candidates for this role must be on the HCPC Register andengaged in practise, teaching, managing orresearching in, one of the professionsregulated by the HCPC. As a UK-wideregulator, HCPC encourages applications fromindividuals across England, Wales, Scotlandand Northern Ireland.The recruitment is overseen by the

Professional Standards Authority for Healthand Social Care (PSA) and the final decisionrests with the Privy Council. The deadline for applications is 21st

September and interviews will take placebetween 19th and 23rd October 2015. Thesuccessful candidate will begin their new rolefrom 1st January 2016.For more information and how to apply,

visit www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutus/council/councilappointments or email:[email protected] �

Professors’ PrizeLecture

Click on photo to hear part of Jason’s lecture

Our front cover shows Dr Jason Gill from theCardiovascular Research Centre in Glasgowdelivering the 2015 Professors’ Prize Lecture.Jason gave a fascinating lecture looking at thereasons for diabetes. Inactivity and too muchsitting down are now clearly risk factors. Jason looked at BMI and risk of diabetes anddifferent hypotheses for different ethnicitiesrequiring different guidelines, where a BMI<25 may well not now be relevant to all of us.Risk is different and we will certainly see riskfactors such as BMI having an ethnicallyrelated risk factor score in the future. �

Sense About Science is recruiting sixambassadors to represent the Ask for EvidenceCampaign and give talks to different groupsacross society. Ask for Evidence is a publiccampaign that helps people request forthemselves the evidence behind news stories,marketing claims and policies. When an animal rights group claims milk causes autism,or a newspaper runs a double-spread onuntested cures for cancer, people need to askfor evidence. Sense About Science has beensharing Ask for Evidence with differentaudiences around the UK and hearing whyevidence matters to allotment growers,powerlifters, parent groups and others. The next step is to train a group of early career researchers to give talks about thecampaign and encourage more people to askfor evidence. Successful applicants will receiveexpert training in public speaking, resources to

produce their own Ask for Evidencepresentations, and several public speakingopportunities. This training is open to earlycareer researchers and scientists in all sciences,engineering and medicine (PhD students, post-docs or equivalent in first job). Applicants will need to be available to

attend a workshop in London on Monday 5thOctober (travel expenses will be covered). To apply send a CV and covering letter

explaining why you would like to be an Ask for Evidence ambassador to Chris Peters([email protected]), before 5pmFriday 11th September.Ask for Evidence is supported by hundreds of

public figures, organisations and thousands ofsupporters such as Mumsnet, NHS Behind theHeadlines and the Royal Statistical Society. TheAsk for Evidence Ambassadors Programme issupported by the Wellcome Trust. �

Become an Ask for Evidence Ambassador

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myGsANCX70g

General News | 9


ACB News … Reminiscences in SurreyJoe O’Meara

A recent visitor from Australia, Andre De Bats,a former Editor of the ACB News was thecatalyst for a surprise lunch gathering offormer Editors and colleagues. Andre editedthe Newsheet between 1977 and 1984 whilstPrincipal Biochemist at St Peter’s Hospital inChertsey. He worked with David Williams andStephen Halloran, both Editors of the Annals,and he brought colour to ACB News bothmaterially and metaphorically!Andre did his PhD with Vincent Marks and

Jesse Chakraborty at Surrey University but itwas a surprise when they and Joe O’Meara,another former News Sheet Editor, joinedStephen and Andre for lunch. Andreintroduced an innovative Wang-basedcomputer system whilst at St Peter’s and, withJoe, edited the ACB publication A Guide toComputing in Clinical Laboratories which some readers may remember! Former Editors

of ACB News include John Lines, GordonChalland and Peter Haisman. In the mid 1980s, Andre’s experience at

St Peter’s and the knowledge and contacts hemade within clinical biochemistry andpublications launched him into a successfulfreelance career in marketing and publicrelations in the diagnostics industry whichtook him to Brisbane in 2000 where he hassettled with his wife Margaret.Perhaps unsurprisingly, a measure of

reminiscence featured in the lunchtimediscussions and it was interesting to note how many of the issues of Andre’s time as aClinical Biochemist are still with us today. Sincere thanks are due to Stephen for his

hospitality, and most particularly to his wifeStella, who had to endure the lengthy periodsof reminiscence! �

You are probably already aware that the ACB supports the “Voice of Young Science”(VoYS) – a part of the organisation “SenseAbout Science” – which will be holding twoStanding up for Science media workshops inSeptember 2015. These workshops are highly popular and because we support VoYSfive priority places are available for ACBmembers. The workshops will be taking place at

University of Glasgow on Wednesday 16thSeptember (application deadline: Wednesday2nd September); and NIMR London, Friday25th September (application deadline: Friday11th September).The full day workshops are free for early

career scientists and researchers in all sciences,engineering and medicine (PhD students, post-docs or equivalent in their first job). This includes trainee Clinical Scientists.The workshops combine discussion about

science-related controversies in mediareporting with practical guidance and tips forhow to deal with the media. Please findfurther information at http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pages/upcoming-standing-up-for-science-media-workshops-.htmlThese workshops are very popular and

places are limited. To apply, send a CV andcovering letter explaining your reasons forapplying to Joanne Thomas at email:[email protected] sure you state membership of the

ACB in your application – we hold five priorityplaces for each workshop. In addition to the Standing up for Science

media workshops, VoYS organises events onother topics of interest to early careerscientists. Peer Review: The Nuts and Bolts, is a free half-day workshop for early careerresearchers and will explore how peer reviewworks, how to get involved, the challenges tothe system, and the role of peer review inhelping the public to evaluate research claims.The next workshop is to be held in Glasgow

Caledonian University on Thursday 17thSeptember 2015, 2pm-5pm.

� Find out about peer review.

� Debate challenges to the system.

� Discuss the role of peer review for scientists and the public.

Should peer review detect plagiarism, bias orfraud? What does peer review do for scienceand what does the scientific community wantit to do for them? Should reviewers remainanonymous? Does it illuminate good ideas orshut them down?To apply to attend this workshop contact

Joanne Thomas on email:[email protected] by Thursday10th September.Further information: www.senseabout

science.org/data/files/VoYS/Peer_Review_Workshops/2015_Peer_review/Peer_review_workshop_17sept2015.pdf �

10 | General News


Voice of Young Science Workshops for EarlyCareer Scientists

12 | Practice FRCPath Style Calculations


A patient has the following results:

Serum copper 12.5 µmol/L (13-26)Serum caeruloplasmin 155 mg/L (200-450)

Assuming that caeruloplasmin is the only protein in serum to bind a significant amount ofcopper, calculate the serum concentration of free (unbound) copper.

Copper content of caeruloplasmin 0.3%Atomic mass of copper 63.6

FRCPath, Autumn 2014

Bound copper (mg/L) = caeruloplasmin (mg/L) x % copper content100

Multiply by 1,000 to convert from mg/L to µg/L:

Bound copper (µg/L) = caeruloplasmin (mg/L) x % copper content x 1,000100

To convert from µg/L to µmol/L divide by the atomic mass of copper:

Bound copper (µmol/L) = caeruloplasmin (mg/L) x % copper content x 1,000100 x Atomic mass of copper

Substitute: Cauruloplasmin = 155 mg/L; % copper content = 0.3%; atomic mass of copper = 63.6

Bound copper = 155 x 0.3 x 1,000 = 7.3 µmol/L (2 sig figs)100 x 63.6

Total copper (µmol/L) = Bound copper (µmol/L) + Free copper (µmol/L)

Substitute: Total copper = 12.5 µmol/L and bound copper = 7.3 µmol/L

12.5 = 7.3 + Free copper (µmol/L)

Free copper = 12.5 - 7.3 = 5.2 µmol/L

Deacon’s Challenge No 172 - Answer

Question 173A screening programme for Down’s Syndrome has a screen positive rate of 2.5% and adetection rate of 82%. Calculate the probability that a pregnancy judged to be at low riskwill result in an affected child, given that the incidence of Down’s Syndrome at term is1.84/1000 live births in the absence of selective abortion. State any assumptions made.

FRCPath, Autumn 2014

Current Topics | 13


At Focus in Cardiff this year, Maurice O’Kaneand I gave three presentations on the historyand future plans of the new re-launched ACBExpert Panel. We would like to thank thosewho asked questions and those who offeredto help with the organisation of the panel. We are grateful for the responses to our flyerasking for ACB members to volunteer asexperts in specific topics. We will be issuingfurther calls for experts in the near future. If anyone who contacted us has not receivedan acknowledgement either in person or byemail, please contact the ACB Office.If you did not attend Focus, or weren’t able

to volunteer at the time, you can do so nowusing the form below. We are planning to poolour expert list with the Annals of ClinicalBiochemistry, thus creating a joint resource.Meanwhile, if you missed the presentationsyou can read the Focus flyer on the ACBwebsite (Science, Expert Panel) and also watchthe video linked to the electronic copy of ACBNews by simply clicking on the image. TheExpert Panel is working on an inductionsession incorporating media awarenessoverview and training for those who areregistered with us as experts. We are aimingfor a date in late November. If you wish toapply for this, please contact Joe O’Meara atthe ACB Office.

Mentors Available . . .

A pilot mentorship scheme which will putyounger members of the profession in touchwith others with a similar interest and with anational/international expert. We hope to

build networks in this way and help to developcareers and expertise. Such expertise will beaccessed by the media and other agencies viathe ACB. We envisage that post registrationClinical Scientists who wish to further developtheir academic careers will have theopportunity to collaborate in the peer reviewof scientific papers and to plan researchprojects in a supportive environment. If youare interested in this pilot scheme and wish tojoin one of the mentor groups, please sendyour CV to the ACB Office (for the attention ofJoe O’Meara) specifying which mentor’s groupyou wish to join before 1st December 2015.The criteria for acceptance will be flexible andwill be focused on forming a mentor groupwith a range of academic track records. Thereis room for young scientists with limitednumbers of publications in the chosen fieldbut who would like to develop a newexpertise. �

Expert Panel Re-LaunchDr Robert Hill

ACB Expert PanelI am interested in supporting the revitalised expert panel by (tick relevant box[es])

Volunteering to join the panel

My topics of expertise are: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Networking with the panel on the following topics: ____________________________________________________________

Making comments or suggestions for the panel________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________

Return to: Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 130-132 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2TU

Click photo on electronic copy to hear Joe O’Mearaand Dr Robert Hill describing the work of the ExpertPanel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZhN7vKNadY

With the Accelerated Access Review currentlylooking at how to speed up the availability ofinnovative medical technologies, there is a realand heightened focus from government andNHS England on how medical devices anddiagnostics can play a more significant role intransforming healthcare delivery. Earlier thisyear, members of the Royal College ofPathologists (RCPath), the Association forClinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine(ACB) and the Institute of Biomedical Science(IBMS) took part in a workshop at the National Institute for Health and CareExcellence (NICE) exploring the potential forlaboratory medicine professionals and theNICE Diagnostics Assessment Programme (DAP) working collaboratively in identifyingdiagnostic tests and technologies which couldpositively impact patient care and healthcaredelivery.During the workshop, chaired by Dr Suzy

Lishman (President, RCPath) and ProfessorAdrian Newland (Chair, Diagnostics AdvisoryCommittee, NICE), participants heard aboutthe laboratory diagnostics landscape, NICE and the DAP, the RCPath Clinical Effectivenessprogramme. It also explored how participantscould help ensure NICE is aware of innovativeand valuable diagnostic tests.

Measuring the Value of DiagnosticTests for the NHS

Value is a frequently used word that is oftenchallenging to define and measure as itdepends on many factors. These include theoften differing perspectives of the partiesinvolved, the measurement techniques usedand the ‘currency’ i.e. the unit of the measure.For diagnostics tests and technologies, DAP provides a solution to this challenge. DAP produces guidance clearly defining theimpact on the diagnostic/care pathway,patients and the healthcare system, in terms of

cost per quality adjusted life-year (QALY), of selected diagnostic tests and technologies. In formulating its recommendations, theDiagnostics Advisory Committee (DAC), anindependent group composed of clinicians,healthcare scientists, health economists,healthcare managers, lay and commercialmembers, considers information generated via a systematic review of evidence on thetechnology’s clinical and cost-effectiveness.DAC decides whether a product should berecommended for use and, in the case of arecommendation for further research toinform any future decision regarding itsroutine use in the NHS, what that researchshould seek to achieve. Using the QALY, which combines quality of life with lifeexpectancy, means that a new test ortechnology can be compared ‘like for like’with other healthcare interventions, allowingan understanding of the opportunity costassociated with it’s use in the healthcaresystem.In addition to the diagnostics guidance

produced by DAP, NICE also produces tools tosupport the adoption of recommendedtechnologies. This includes specific adoptionsupport guides bringing together theexperiences of those in the NHS who havebeen early pioneers of the technology, andcosting tools, which help clarify the potentialareas of budget impact and opportunities tosupport a technology’s introduction relating totariff/financial systems.

Selecting Topics for the Programme

The NICE DAP, along with MedicalTechnologies Evaluation Programme (MTEP)which evaluates medical devices, was set up in2010 in response to the challenges associatedwith the adoption of innovative technologiesinto the NHS. Unlike other NICE programmes,where decisions on which drugs or processes

14 | Current Topics


Valuing LaboratoryMedicine in HealthcareCarla Deakin, NICE Diagnostics Assessment Programme

should be selected for evaluation areidentified in conjunction with the Departmentof Health, companies producing diagnosticsand devices are able to notify NICE directly oftheir product and its associated valueproposition though a notification process. All product notifications are reviewed ‘incamera’ by the Medical Technologies AdvisoryCommittee (MTAC), an independent groupagain composed of clinicians, healthcarescientists, health economists, healthcaremanagers, lay and commercial members.MTAC’s role is to select and route forevaluation to the most appropriate NICEprogramme those products which, in its view,offer potential value to the NHS.As well as evaluating products notified by

companies, DAP has also produced guidanceon a number of products which were notifiedto NICE by clinical colleagues. For these topics,clinicians made DAP aware of diagnostic teststhat they felt could significantly impactdiagnostic and healthcare practice; theproducts identified were then presented toMTAC and selected for guidance production.DG 15: Myocardial infarction (acute): Early ruleout using high-sensitivity troponin tests(Elecsys Troponin T high-sensitive,

ARCHITECT STAT High Sensitive Troponin-I and AccuTnI+3 assays) is a recent example of guidance resulting from a clinicalnotification.Details of both published diagnostics

guidance and guidance currently indevelopment can be found at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/published?type=dg

A Unique Perspective

A key aspect of the joint workshop was thefocus on the unique perspective of laboratorymedicine professionals when it comes toidentifying new, innovative and clinicallyimpactful diagnostic tests and technologies.With diagnosis being a key aspect of all thatlaboratory medicine does, pathologists andscientists are often the pivotal link betweenthe product, the company and clinicalcolleagues who will use the clinicalinformation provided by products for thebenefit of patients and the healthcare system.This led to much discussion on how

laboratory medicine professionals couldbecome actively involved in making NICEaware of promising tests and technologies. A central tenet of this process is the ability todefine the value proposition presented by the

Current Topics | 15


Figure 1. Understandingthe value proposition

test or technology. Participants spent time ingroups thinking about the approach toidentifying value propositions and their keyimportance to framing the decision questionthat the guidance would answer. Figure 1highlights the key points discussed.

Getting InvolvedIn closing the workshop, Dr Suzy Lishmanacknowledged the unique perspective of alllaboratory medicine professionals when itcomes to identifying innovative and clinicallyrelevant diagnostic tests and technologies andthe compelling opportunity to underline thevalue of laboratory medicine to patient careand health care delivery. Dr Gwyn McCreanor, ACB President,

commented “This is a really importantprogramme that aims to assess the impact ofdiagnostics and their value in patient care. It is essential that UK laboratories engage withthe NICE Diagnostics Assessment Programme,

as laboratory professionals are the people toprovide the leadership required to drive thisforward.”The ability to provide insight into which tests

and technologies can provide real value is notconfined to a few individuals; if there is adiagnostic test or technology that you feelNICE should be considering for evaluation, or if you just want to know more about theprocess, DAP would welcome you getting incontact with Carla Deakin, Associate Director,DAP by email: [email protected] orTel: 0161-870-3164.Be assured that any preparation involved in

getting your suggestion ready for submissionto MTAC for selection and routing will bedealt with by DAP. So please take theopportunity to help get new, innovative andclinically impactful diagnostics into routine use in the NHS and show the value laboratorymedicine brings to patients and the healthcaresystem. �

16 | Current Topics


18 | Federation News


As you read this article in September thedeadline for OTGUP decisions, for the smallnumber to whom it applies, is rapidlyapproaching – 30th September.I should start by reminding you again that

most of this briefing relates to the NHSPension Scheme for England and Wales. Wedo not yet know precisely when the OTGUPexercise will start in Scotland but are told itwill be “within the next few months”, possiblyaround September. The issues you shouldconsider when making the OTGUP choice arehowever common to all countries.I must also again remind you that neither

FCS officers, employer pensions staff nor theNHS Pensions Agency (NHSBSA) staff can givepersonal financial advice. What we can do ishelp you understand the intricacies of thePension Scheme issues. The NHSBSA caninform you of the personal records data theyhave about you that will be used to calculateyour pension. Your starting point for thisshould be your Total Reward Statement (TRS).Your 2014 TRS is already available. The 2015TRS statements will be released in two tranches:31st August for the northern half of Englandand 31st October for the south and Wales. If you need financial advice you should

consult your independent advisor or you couldaccess the financial advice services fromLighthouse through “ACB Extras”. Just followthe link from the ACB website home page.

OTGUP Exercise started June 2015

For an introduction to OTGUP see FCS Briefing 10.OTGUP stands for “Option to Give Up

Protection”. It will apply to a relatively smallnumber of members (some 45,000 of the

1.4 million active scheme members) who havefull or tiered protected rights in the 2008scheme and hence either would stay in thatscheme until retirement or transfer to the2015 scheme at a date later than 1st April2015. It will not be offered to 2008 members who do not have any protection to give up nor to 1995 scheme members as mathematicalmodelling showed they will not experienceany detriment. It will also not apply to 1995scheme members who used Choice 2 to optinto 2008 because the arithmetic of dates ofbirth means they cannot qualify.The OTGUP Choice letters for the 45,000

affected members of the scheme were sent tohome addresses in the last two weeks of June.If you had recently changed address pleasecontact the NHSBSA Pensions Agency now toinform them. If you think you may qualify buthave not received your personal letter contactyour employer’s Pensions Officer in the firstplace.Decisions to give up protection must be

made and registered before 30th September2015. The default, if you do not register yourchoice, is that your protection in the 2008scheme endures. There will not be a secondopportunity.

Making Your OTGUP Choice: What You Should Consider? How Might You Benefit from Giving Up Protection?

The protection arrangements preserve yourpension benefit calculation under the 2008scheme, which bases your pension on 1/60 peryear of membership times final pensionablesalary, calculated as the average of the best 3of your last 10 years.

NHS Pensions Briefing No. 11:Option to Give Up Protection(OTGUP) Exercise is Live . . .What to Consider ChoosingGeoff Lester, NHS Staff Council & Pensions Scheme Advisory Board Representative

Federation News | 19


Full protection is until the normal pension age(NPA) for the scheme at 65 years and tieredprotection is until a date between now and2022 depending on your date of birth.The 2015 scheme adds 1/54 of pensionable

salary to your pension pot each year and atthe start of each financial year in April yourfull collection of yearly pots is re-valued (thetechnical term is “index adjusted”) at theTreasury inflation measure (currently CPI) plus1.5%. Your NPA in the 2015 scheme is thesame as your state pension age (SPA) whichvaries between 65 and 68 depending on yourdate of birth. You should check your SPA usingthe calculator at: https://www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension/y/ageHow these two calculations work out and

compare depends mostly on when you intendto retire and how your pay changes, which inturn depends on how many pay incrementsyou have yet to come or whether yourealistically expect further career progression.If you are already at the top of your career/

pay scale or have just a few points to go, then you are likely to accrue more pensionbenefit by opting into the 2015 from its start(i.e. exercising your OTGUP choice). If you have or expect significant pay progression orcareer advancement to come then retainingprotection in the 2008 may be beneficial. The precise details, of course, depend on your personal circumstances and retirementintentions. Remember that taking your 2015pension before your SPA will result in anactuarial reduction.Note that your OTGUP choice makes no

difference to the calculation of your pensionbenefits accrued before 1st April 2015.

Estimating Your 2015 Pension

Modelling the CARE pension is a rathercomplex calculation as the accumulated potsare index adjusted each year in April. We canonly speculate what will happen to inflation inthe future. FCS has produced a modellingspreadsheet where you can enter some “what-if” changes to your pay and inflationover the next years. This can be accessed at the“Documents” part of the ACB website“Members” page.

Worked Examples (Simplified)

Scenario 1Robert is an 8C Clinical Immunologist at thetop of band and anticipates retiring with nofurther career progression. He is aged 57 (dateof birth 1st April 1958) which gives him an SPAof 66 in 2024. He is currently in the 2008scheme with NPA of 65. He intends to retirefully at age 65 in April 2023.Calculations: Salary at top of 8C is £67805.

For simplicity we will assume 0% cost of livingincreases and 0% CPI.If Robert retains 2008 protection: Between

April 2015 and April 2023 Robert adds 8 yearsto his pension. In the 2008 scheme this is 8/60of his final salary, £67,805 = £9,041.If he exercises his OTGUP choice: Putting

Robert’s scenario into the FCS 2015 PensionModeller gives a 2015 pension pot of £10476or £10,633 if he waits a few days until afterthe index adjustment is applied. As Robert isretiring 1 year early for the 2015 scheme hispension pot is actuarially reduced by a factorof 0.946 = £10,059.Conclusion: Robert would be better off at

retirement, with no difference in pensioncontributions, if he exercises his OTGUP choice.

Scenario 2Roberta is an 8C Clinical Microbiologist whohas just taken up her 8C post. She is aged 57(date of birth 1st April 1958) which gives her aSPA of 66 in 2024. She is currently in the 2008scheme with NPA of 65. She also intends toretire fully at age 65 in April 2023. For simplicity we will assume 0% cost of

living increases and 0% CPI. Assumingappropriate performance Roberta’s salaryprogression will be:

Year Salary2015-2016 £55,5482016-2017 £57,0692017-2018 £59,0162018-2019 £61,7792019-2020 £65,9222020-2021 £67,8052021-2022 £67,8052022-2023 £67,805

If Roberta retains 2008 protection: She adds8/60 of her final salary (average of best 3 inlast 10 years), which is £67,805 = £9041.If she exercises her OTGUP choice: Putting

these progressing pay figures into themodeller she accrues total pension pots of£9,789 or £9,936 after the index adjustmentdate. This is actuarially reduced by 0.946 to£9,399.Conclusion: Roberta is also better off

exercising her OTGUP choice.

Scenario 3Hassan is a BMS who has just taken up an 8Apost. He is aged 57 (date of birth 1st April1958) which gives him a SPA of 66 in 2024. He is currently in the 2008 scheme with NPA of 65. He also intends to retire fully at age 65 in April 2023. In April 2018 he gets an 8B post.For simplicity we will assume 0% cost of

living increases and 0% CPI. Assumingappropriate performance Hassan’s salaryprogression will be:

Year Salary2015-2016 £39,6322016-2017 £40,9642017-2018 £42,6122018-2019 £46,164 on appointment to 8B2019-2020 £47,5592020-2021 £49,9682021-2022 £52,7572022-2023 £55,548

If Hassan retains 2008 protection: He adds8/60 of his final salary (average of best 3 in last10 years), which is £52,758 = £7,034.If he exercises his OTGUP choice: Putting

these progressing pay figures into themodeller he accrues a pension pot of £7,296 or£7,405 after the index adjustment. This isactuarially reduced to £7,005.Conclusion: Hassan is better off retaining

protection in the 2008 scheme.

Scenario 3aIf Hassan now decides he is not going to retireuntil April 2024, his NPA for the 2015 scheme,the calculations change:

� In 2023-2024 he earns £57,069, the toppoint of 8B.

� He accrues 9/60 in the 2008 scheme with ahigher “final salary”.

� In the 2015 scheme his pension would notbe actuarially reduced.

His 2008 pension calculation would be£8,269 and 2015 pots after the indexadjustment date would be £8,589.Conclusion: Hassan would now be better off

transferring to the 2015 scheme with hisOTGUP choice.

Other Issues to Consider

1. Inflation (CPI)If inflation increases then the indexadjustment in the 2015 scheme increases. In Scenario 1 if CPI is 1% from 2016 to 2023 Robert’s pension pot increases from£10,633 to £11,229 with no change insalary. Hence higher inflation projections favour the 2015 scheme.

2. Pay increasesIf cost of living pay increases improve thenboth final salary and 2015 pension pots improve. It is then a matter of doing thearithmetic for your individual case.

3. Retiring earlier than 65 will result indifferent actuarial reductions for the twoschemes.

4. If you are in the 2015 scheme and you planto retire in the spring you will be better offsetting a date shortly after the indexadjustment date rather than at the end ofMarch.

The NHSBSA has published informationincluding a helpful collection of FAQsregarding OTGUP on its web pages athttp://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions – followthe “Option to Give Up Protection” link on theleft of the home page.As always with these pensions decisions FCS

urges you to make deliberate and considereddecisions rather than accept the default of nochange through inaction. �

20 | Federation News


Personal View | 21


I planned to do this ride of a lifetime last August – September toraise money for the Yorkshire BrainResearch Centre. Unfortunately, I was knocked off my bike in June 2014 and sustained severalfractured ribs and vertebrae and so this April I started the challengeonce again . . .

I flew in to New York on Sunday 5th April andbegan the ride from Battery Park, Manhattanon 6th April. I arrived in San Francisco onWednesday 27 May having cycled 4320 mileswith just two rest days the whole trip. I followed Adventure Cycling USA routesthrough nine states, Washington DC and fourtime zones. For those of a technical dispositionmy bike and panniers along with campingequipment weighed 46.5 kg and I averaged86.8 miles per day whilst cycling – or 83.5 milesper day overall. The furthest that I cycled inone day was just over 115 miles. Amongst thehill climbs were the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Ozarks and the Sierra Nevadas. Thehighest point of the trip at 11,312 feet was avery snowy Monarch Pass in Colorado. On thewhole, vehicle drivers were far more patientand considerate towards cyclists than is thecase in this country.

Variable Weather

The weather for the whole trip was unusualfor the time of year. Wet and windy in theeast, snow, hail and again wind and rain in thewest. I cycled through two tornado warningsin Kansas. The weather was demanding and soI camped less than I had intended, especiallyafter one exceptionally stormy night at Hite,near Lake Powell in Utah. I say near LakePowell because over the last ten years the lakehas shrunk alarmingly, in fact America has avery real water shortage. The ride was every bit as challenging as I

anticipated, if not more so and in a strangeway I am enjoying it more now that I havefinished. The ride was entirely self-funded andunsupported, but my youngest daughterHelen and her partner Richard saw me offfrom New York, my brother Paul met me inPueblo where I had the second rest day andmy wife Hilary, our eldest daughter Claire andher husband Ian and our son Chris and hispartner Pip, met me in San Francisco.

Generosity of the American People

I have many memories – the weather, the loosedogs in Kentucky, a dry state, and WestVirginia and the vast plains of Nevada werereal challenges. However, my overridingmemories are of superb and varied countryside

New York to San FranciscoCycleMike Bosomworth, Leeds

and most of all the generosity of the Americanpeople. I was taken in by complete strangersat the end of one very wet day inPennsylvania, I was treated to beer and a mealby two guys in a Mexican restaurant, I wasgiven refreshments at various times, I slept in achurch, a fire station and a town park all atthe invitation of local residents. A family eveninsisted on praying for me in a surprisinglybusy restaurant (turned out that it wasMother’s Day in America) about six milesbefore the summit of Monarch Pass! I consider myself very lucky to have been

able to complete what will probably be mychallenge of a lifetime and I am very gratefulfor the help and support I received fromfamily, friends, old and new, colleagues inLeeds Teaching Hospitals and the ACB and ofcourse from my loyal followers on Facebook.

To date I have raised over £9,000 and Iwould like to sincerely thank everyone whohas sponsored my fundraising for theYorkshire Brain Research Centre and toapologise to those sponsors who I have notbeen able to thank individually for theirdonations. I would also like to thank DrakesCycles, Spa Cycles, Cotswold Outdoors andVirgin Atlantic who either supplied goods free of charge or at a discount. So far as this challenge is concerned,

all that remains now is for me to reach myfundraising target of £10,000, which although might be considered ‘the icing onthe cake’ is probably more important than the ride itself. Once again my sincere thanks to everyone and especially ACB andLaboratory Medicine members for their helpand support. �

More details about the Yorkshire Brain Research Centre (YBRC) and Mike’s trip can be found at:

http://www.ybrc.org.uk/dr-mike-back-on-the-bikehttp://www.ybrc.org.uk/dr-mike-completes-the-bike-ride

You can sponsor Mike by visiting:

www.virginmoneygiving.com/mikebosomworth

22 | Personal View


Letters | 23


Following my retirement from the NHS I wanted to write and say thank you to ‘theACB’ and the awards made earlier this monthhave provided the just right stimulus! Myprofessional career and I believe that of verymany of my ‘biochemistry’ colleagues, owes agreat deal to the support and professionalopportunities provided by the Association. I joined the ACB in 1976 on therecommendation of a colleague at WhippsCross hospital and I attended my first local‘London’ ACB meeting that year at which PamRiches gave an enthusiastic and inspiring talkabout immunoglobulins. In retrospect it wasthat presentation which encapsulated theessence of the ethos of the ACB and arelationship that was to direct, enable andsupport me as I progressed through trainingand early positions as a ‘clinical biochemist’.This ACB ethos is one of enthusiasm for what

‘our specialty’ can do to enhance the quality of medical care within the NHS, an institutionwhich has been, and remains for me, the proofof a caring and civilised society. Thatenthusiasm was not superficial, it was practicalto the core. The ACB has been an exemplar inseeking out gifted and talented recruits to theprofession, engaging with them and, perhaps

more than anything else, empowering them toindividually and collectively make a differenceto the practice of clinical biochemistry in theUK and on the international stage.As my career progressed it has been my

fortune to contribute to the recruitment, to the initial and professional training of newcolleagues, to be able to facilitatecontributions to the scientific literature and tostimulate and support some local, national and international initiatives. Whether it wasclinical initiatives and support, training,evaluation or scientific publications, the ACBhas been my steer and support throughout thelast 40 years and for that I owe it a debt ofgratitude. The ACB is the summation of itsmembers both past and present, and thereforemy thanks to the ACB is a sincere thanks to thevery many wise, talented, enthusiastic andenergetic colleagues who I have had thefortune to know and work with.Perhaps you would share my thanks through

the ACB Council to my friends and colleagues.The critical role that the ACB can play toenhance the quality of healthcare must neverbe underestimated and key is recruitment,training and professional engagement.Cheers, Stephen �

Thanks Everyone!Stephen P. Halloran MBE FRCPath

You can see an interview with Stephen by clicking on the photo if reading the electronic version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Bl8Ej_TQk

John (Ian) Leggate, OBE, PhD, FRCPath died on15th June 2015.Ian was born in Glasgow in 1936 and began

his working life as a technician in thelaboratories at Glasgow Royal MaternityHospital. After a year, he moved to PfizerLaboratories, working on polio vaccine. He had studied at night school for his HigherLeaving Certificate and he then studiedBiochemistry at Glasgow University,graduating BSc Honours in 1964 and PhD in1967. His doctoral thesis was on TheBiosynthesis of beta Lactamase inStaphylococcus Aureus.He was appointed Lecturer in Biochemistry

at Aberdeen University, working on calcitoninwith Professor Sam Frazer. In 1970, hereturned to the west of Scotland as SeniorBiochemist at Hawkhead Hospital, Paisley,under Arthur Mollinson, attaining MRCPath in1971 and being appointed Top GradeBiochemist in 1975. In 1977, he moved toSabah Hospital in Kuwait, where he set up fivehospital laboratories. In 1979, he returned toStobhill Hospital, Glasgow as Top GradeBiochemist. In 1986, under Dr Anne Kelly asChair, the first Focus meeting was held inGlasgow and Ian headed the Scientific andTechnical Committee. That was the meeting

where the exhibition was held on the carpetedcar park of the Skean Dhu Hotel. He retiredfrom the Health Service in 1991.Ian was very active on the National

Committee of Scientists and, as its Chairman,served on the Scottish Health Planning Counciland was Chairman of the Advisory Council forScientific Services. He was awarded the OBE in1991 for services to Biochemistry.There was much more to Ian than his

working life. He was intellectually curious andhad a wide variety of interests. He was marriedto Cathie and had a son Andrew, a Psychiatrist,and a daughter, Pamela, a GeneralPractitioner. He was a doting grandfather toPamela’s children and he and Cathie weremuch involved in their upbringing thusenabling Pamela to continue her profession.Ian and Cathie had a house on the west

coast of Ireland and a small cabin cruiser inwhich they explored the Shannon River. He loved music and had a pleasant tenor

voice, studied French at the Alliance Francaise,and was an enthusiastic lover of the poetry ofRobert Burns. At his funeral, Pamela readBurns’ “A Man’s a Man for A’ That”, a sentiment with which Ian was completely intune. �

FD

24 | Obituary


A Modest Man and GoodColleague

Crossword | 25


Last month’s solution

Across 5 Revised content fits us for

methods to confirm or exclude diagnoses (8,5)

8 Section of a prognathous insect (4)

9 Place never changes currency (10)

10/19 Strange symbols deterring adiagnosis for jaundice (8,8)

12 Fended off life-and-deathdiscord concerning a break (6)

14 Cachectic patient hidesdiscomfort (4)

16 Accumulate a lot (5)17 An STD occupying blue-sky

thinker (4)

18 No case for complexcategories of this glandproblem (6)

19 See 1022 Brew, brew, brew operating

system for an application program (3,7)

25 Facilitate repose (4)26 Direct action a blunder for

getting approval of performance (13)

Down1 Nuts about round tables –

most capricious (10)2 Torpid state after revising

Proust (6)

3 Small opening comes back inxerophthalmia (4)

4 Find out about fields in smallisolated land mass (4)

5 Seen through the pupils ofentertaining princess (5)

6 Make the case for coaches (7)7 Enzyme preparation cures the

beginnings of status asthmaticus (7)

11 Bear witness about entireabstract collections for culture (5)

13 Ability to inducehypersensitivity involves onecell range (10)

15 School treat ear, so clearinfection (7)

16 Solvent expert with attitude (7)20 Regular standard (6)21 Stirring reanimations dispel

inertia of builder (5)23 Withdraw support (4)24 Send vessel (4)

ACB News CrosswordSet by RugosaFeedback on PhlebotomistsWe have been putting out the Feedback Innovation Service User Postcard at thewaiting area in Phlebotomy at several sites over the last few months. We have been pleasantly surprised at the number of cards that patients have been returning with very positive statements about attitude. In particular, patients have pointed to the professional manner and putting the patient at ease before blood is taken.It is just as important to capture positive statements from users as well as ‘issues’.

26 | Situations Vacant


To advertise your vacancy contact:

ACB Administrative Office, 130-132 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TUTel: 0207 403 8001 Fax: 0207 403 8006

Email: [email protected]: 26th of the month

prior to the month of publicationTraining Posts: When applying for such posts

you should ensure that appropriate supervision and trainingsupport will be available to enable you to proceed

towards HCPC registration and the FRCPath examinations. For advice, contact your Regional Tutor.

The Editor reserves the right to amend or reject advertisements deemed unacceptable to the Association.

Advertising rates are available on request.

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