Medical scientists, doctors and nurses brought science to life for a group of sixth form students from Sandringham School, St Albans, when they visited the pathology department at Watford Hospital.

Pathology - the study of disease - is at the heart of all modern healthcare and helps in the diagnoses of more than 70 per cent of patients in hospital.

Pathologists and scientists are involved in preventing, diagnosing, treating and monitoring diseases to keep people as healthy as possible.

The students, who are studying applied science at A-level, got to see behind the scenes of the department and to meet front-line staff during their visit (on Monday, October 13).

They also got to see tests being performed and learned how they are processed to allow doctors, nurses and other clinicians to diagnose patients.

The students visited a number of departments including haematology (the study of blood), chemical pathology (the study of chemical processes in the body), microbiology (the study of bacteria and viruses) and cellular pathology (the study of body tissues).

They also got to see the wide range of different machines and equipment used to support the pathology team.

Pathology services manager Gerard Felix said "This is the third year that students have visited the laboratory. It is a great opportunity to introduce potential future hospital scientists to a busy diagnostic laboratory.

"Millions of pathology tests are carried out every year - over 14 for every man, woman and child in the country.

"Many major advances have been made by pathologists, for example in the treatment of cancer, ensuring safe blood transfusions, developing vaccines against infectious diseases and the treatment of inherited conditions.

"It was a pleasure to welcome the students to the hospital. They were really engaged and enthusiastic and I think it’s important for them to experience life in a working environment with the procedures, processes and challenges that occur on a daily basis."

Sandringham School science teacher Elizabeth Ashley who accompanied the students on their trip.

She said: "The pathology department organised a fantastic visit and the students really enjoyed their trip which was both educational and fun.

"It was a great opportunity for the students and I’d like to thank the staff at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust for giving up their time to give us an insight into the service they provide. It was a really interesting and beneficial afternoon, and we hope to bring another set of students next year."