February 2026

Our guest speaker this month was Linda Hoyland, who discussed her work in the QMC Pathological Lab. Linda is now retired, having spent 42 years working for the NHS, 38 years of which were in Diagnostics Pathology, specialising in analysis of blood cells and supplying blood for transfusions.

Linda explained that the practice of blood-letting dates back to the ancient Egyptian times as a way of treating medical ailments, which continued for many centuries until the 16th century when experimental blood transfusions took place, some including animal blood.

It was only in 1901 that blood transfusion achieved a scientific basis and become safer, when the Austrian immunologist Karl Landsteiner discovered the 3 three main blood groups (O, A, and B). Landsteiner found that adverse effects arise from mixing blood from two incompatible blood types. When they are mixed an immune response is triggered and the red blood cells clump.

Linda discussed the properties and composition of blood and how donated blood is separated into red cells, white cells and platelets for treating a number of disorders. She gave us an insight into the relationship between the donation service and blood banks in hospitals, explaining how the service has changed and developed over time. She also talked about the vital blood testing done by pathology labs to support diagnosis of medical conditions. It was a very interesting and informative presentation.