POCT National Networking Forum 2026

Rob Bolton is the Lead Biomedical Scientist for Point of Care Testing (POCT) and Rapid Diagnostics at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he provides strategic leadership across POCT delivery, governance and innovation. With over two decades of progressive laboratory experience, he serves as the Technical Lead for POCT within the NHS N3 Region and is a member of the IBMS Specialist Advisory Panel for POCT. Robert Bolton has played a key role in developing rapid diagnostic pathways, strengthening quality assurance frameworks and supporting regional and national POCT transformation initiatives. His work reflects a commitment to advancing safe, effective and patient‑centred diagnostics while empowering clinical teams through robust training, competency frameworks and collaborative problem‑solving.

Katy has been working in the NHS and its services for 20 years in Clinical Biochemistry and Point of Care Testing (POCT). Currently employed as the Consultant Specialty lead for POCT for Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services, the service covers 5 NHS Trusts, with 6 acute medical sites and multiple community services. The service also provides a dedicated ISO accredited POCT EQA scheme, Qpoint of which Katy is the Clinical Director. At the end of 2020 Katy was seconded to the Department of Health and Social Care, then later UKHSA, Operational Supplies team as the Point of care workflow programme lead, with the primary aim of providing technical and scientific leadership in the deployment of rapid covid testing into NHS Emergency departments. In January 2024 Katy was made Chief Healthcare Scientist for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust with responsibility for executive representation of Healthcare science services at the Trust and into the ICS. 

Katy has worked alongside the national NHS England personalized care team to support the production of POCT guidance for Virtual ward and Hospital at Home services. The BSPS service provides Labkit to its partner Trusts and community Trusts, a roaming bag of POCT kit that can be used in multiple clinical services to support POCT testing for rapid decision making. 

After graduating in 2004 with a BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Westminster, Fadzai Fadairo completed her Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry at King George Hospital.

She began her professional career as a Locum Specialist Biomedical Scientist (BMS), working on the Isle of Man, in Leicester, East London, and Surrey across a variety of NHS and private laboratories. In 2009, she secured her first permanent role within the NHS, where she gained her initial exposure to point of care testing (POCT).

Fadzai is now a Senior Specialist BMS and POCT Coordinator at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. She leads a small but highly effective team of dedicated professionals, delivering an excellent service to hospital staff and patients.

Outside of work, she is a wife and mother of two children who are passionate about football. She can often be found cheering from the sidelines or running the line. Singing brings her great joy, and she regularly performs background vocals for her church band. A lover of live music, she had the pleasure of seeing Stevie Wonder in concert last year. A little-known fact about Fadzai is that she appeared in the music video for “You” by House Gospel Choir.

Ryan is the national lead for the Point of Care Testing (POCT) programme within NHS National Services Scotland, where he manages a specialist team of three. The programme operates as a national resource supporting all 14 territorial NHS health boards in Scotland, providing expertise on POCT projects and collating data to develop “Once for Scotland” approaches for the Scottish Government. Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryan chairs a national POCT stakeholder group that continues to serve as a valuable forum for information sharing, collaboration, and project updates across the healthcare system. He has led and supported a wide range of POCT initiatives across diverse healthcare settings, including cardiac care, emergency departments, ambulance services, prisons, social care, community pharmacies, and nationally coordinated programmes spanning multiple health boards. The role also includes a four-nations remit, with active engagement across the devolved UK nations to share learning and align POCT activity where appropriate. To ensure projects are informed by current innovation and best practice, Ryan maintains up-to-date market knowledge through regular engagement with POCT manufacturers. Through his work, Ryan is committed to promoting equitable, safe, and effective POCT implementation, supporting local health board delivery through strong national policy, and improving patient experiences across diagnostic pathways.

I have worked at Harrogate and District foundation trust (HDFT) since 2006.  Initially I was in the role of POCT and community services manager but as the POCT department role grew I have been POCT manager exclusively since 2011.  The department has grown from looking after a few gas machines and glucose meters for hospital to achieving UKAS accreditation for many aspects of the service both on and off site.  I have been involved in many areas of service development over the years including delivering a Flexible thinking training course to NHS managers for 2 years, working for the PCT (alongside the POCT manager role), sitting on working groups at the department of health to name a few.  All of these additional challenges have helped to shape and influence how the POCT department respond to our clinical communities and have enable me to develop a wider viewpoint for our service.

In 1984, after earning a degree in Life Sciences from the Polytechnic of Central London (now the University of Westminster), Alise McAuliffe responded to a local newspaper advertisement for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) position at Edgware General Hospital. She began her career there as a Junior B MLS, initially spending six months in Microbiology before rotating into Biochemistry, where she completed her portfolio and achieved state registration.

After undertaking the IBMS Fellowship evening course at Paddington College and successfully passing a rigorous examination, she became a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science in 1987. Shortly afterwards, she applied for and was appointed to a new role as Senior Biomedical Scientist in Biochemistry. Due to various organisational mergers, she subsequently worked as a Senior in Biochemistry at both Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital.

From her early days at Edgware and throughout her career, Alise has been closely involved in Point of Care Testing (POCT). In the earlier days of her practice, maintaining blood gas analysers involved manually changing membranes on individual electrodes and replacing large gas cylinders for calibration—very different from today’s solution packs and sensor cassettes. She was responsible for three blood gas analysers at Edgware Hospital and one at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital site in Stanmore.

In 2015, partly due to relocating from North London to Hemel Hempstead, she decided it was time for a change and accepted a fixed-term Band 7 role in Biochemistry at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. However, while still working her notice at Barnet Hospital, a rare opportunity arose: a Point of Care Testing Manager position at Luton. She applied successfully and began the role in early 2016.

Outside of work, Alise has raised five children to adulthood and now has five grandchildren, as well as a pre-teen, car-enthusiast stepson and two cats.

She also leads a busy life beyond family and work. She enjoys attending live music events and often spends weekends—sometimes in pouring rain and deep mud—listening to loud guitars and powerful vocals. She loves travelling, frequently (though not exclusively) to see her favourite bands perform.

An avid reader, she particularly enjoys fantasy and gothic horror, along with related films and television series. Somewhat fittingly, she also has a fondness for hospital dramas. In addition, she has a growing collection of craft materials for projects she hopes one day to have time to complete—perhaps in retirement.

Shazeena has over two decades of expertise in microbiology, virology, serology, molecular biology, and point-of-care testing (POCT). Throughout her career, she has undertaken numerous roles, including Training Officer, Project Lead, and Healthcare Ambassador for the East of England.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shazeena played a pivotal role in leading the implementation of COVID POCT services at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, ensuring rapid and reliable diagnostic support during a critical period. Most recently, she successfully led and delivered UKAS accreditation for Roche Cobas Liat at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, further strengthening quality standards and clinical excellence within the organisation.

Her academic contributions include co-authoring journal publications and presenting her work at national and international conferences. She co-founded BIOPALS, the first Biomedical Science Alumni Association at the University of Bedfordshire, and has served as a visiting lecturer.

A firm believer in leading by example, Shazeena has mentored countless students and biomedical scientists throughout her career. She is particularly passionate about inspiring young children to develop an interest in science.

Beyond her professional achievements Shazeena is firmly rooted in community initiatives and charity work. She is an ambassador for the 4Louis charity and founder of Ibraheems Gift, which support families nationally affected by baby loss. 

Her dedication to her profession and charity work has been recognised by numerous accolades. These include Employee of the Month, Runner-Up for Allied Health Professional of the Year at the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) Awards 2025, the Mayor of Luton Award for community work, and winner of the “Creating a Legacy Award” at the Women of Inspiration Awards.

When Shazeena isn’t at work, or working on the next community or charity project she is a proud mother to her six year old daughter, who strangely shares her mother’s love for science. Shazeena also has a creative flair, and enjoys cooking and gardening. Her love for the outdoors and nature sees her on 5am walks that often turn into long hikes - much to the surprise of her friends, who have now learned to screen her calls when adventure awaits.