One day scientific conference hosted by Weqas consisting of Laboratory EQA interpretation, clinical cases and topical scientific lectures provided by Weqas staff and invited speakers.

TOPICS COVERED

• At the Weqas Annual Laboratory Conference 2026, delegates will engage in a comprehensive programme of presentations whereby they will gain valuable insights into key aspects of External Quality Assessment (EQA) and compliance.
• The morning programme will focus on EQA report interpretation and troubleshooting poor performance. Attendees will learn how to apply problem-solving tools to identify errors and propose remedial actions. The extended interactive workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to collaborate with their peers to work through real Case Studies.
• During the afternoon session, a series of invited external speakers will present on a range of current and emerging topics relevant to the laboratory community.
• Pat Twomey will talk about the new generation Troponin assays, then we have speakers from the Patient Focussed Laboratory Medicine (PFLM) Group. David Housely will be giving an IQC Masterclass, Danielle Freedman will talk us through Lab Tests Online, Martin Myers will explain the new oversight arrangements for EQA Persistent Poor Performance and we end the day with a talk on the MHRA Yellow Card System by Rachel Marrington.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The event is an education and training opportunity primarily aimed at Weqas EQA participants. Delegates typically include Biomedical Scientists, Laboratory Managers, Laboratory Technicians, Clinical Scientists, Healthcare Scientists, Training Managers, Training Officers, Quality Managers and Quality Officers.

SPEAKERS

• Gareth Davies (Deputy Director, Principal Biochemist, R and D Manager - Weqas).Gareth 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 current member of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group, the All-Wales Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group, and the ACB Pre-Analytical Phase Special Interest Group (ACB PA SIG).
• Samantha Jones (Operations Manager - Weqas). Samantha 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.
• Pat Twomey (Clinical Professor - University College Dublin). Professor Patrick Twomey is consultant Chemical Pathologist in St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, the Laboratory Director for Clinical Chemistry within the St Vincent’s Hospital Group and Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine, University College Dublin.
• David Housley (Consultant Clinical Biochemist - Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHSFT) Clinical Scientist with proven academic and clinical research capability. Developing service strategy and delivering strategic plans at operational level. Since 2008 I have initiated and led on several projects to re-design the service, improve quality and safety and reduce cost.
• Danielle Freedman (Deputy Medical Director - Bedfordshire Hospitals NHSFT) Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Associate Physician in Endocrinology, Clinical Director of Pathology, and Deputy Medical Director of Bedfordshire Hospitals (cross site). Lead CMO for ME5 Pathology Network.
• Martin Myers (Consultant Clinical Biochemist - Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHSFT) Martin is a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. He has led a continuous program of Pathology re-design, improving the clinical and operational effectiveness of Pathology delivery whilst improving productivity.
• Rachel Marrington (Consultant Clinical Scientist & Deputy Director - Birmingham Quality) I am a Consultant Clinical Scientist and work at Birmingham Quality (UHB). I am very passionate about improving the quality of laboratory output for the benefit of the patient. Within the PFLM Group I am providing EQA expertise and supporting the delivery of communication of output.

For more information, please contact: [email protected].