| Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine | |
| Former Name: | Association of Clinical Biochemists Association for Clinical Biochemistry |
| Abbreviation: | LabMed (previously ACB) |
| Predecessor: | Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
| Merger: | Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology Association of Clinical Microbiologists |
| Type: | National scientific society |
| Purpose: | Biochemistry advancement |
| Headquarters: | London, |
| Region Served: | United Kingdom |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Katherine Hayden |
| Leader Title2: | CEO |
| Leader Name2: | Victoria Logan |
| Main Organ: | Council |
| Affiliations: | International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
The Association for Laboratory Medicine (previously the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine) is a United Kingdom-based learned society dedicated to the practice and promotion of clinical biochemistry and laboratory medicine. It was founded in 1953 and its official journal is the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. The association is a full, national society member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine IFCC[1] as well as a full member of the regional European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.[2]
Founded as the Association of Clinical Biochemists, the association has evolved as biochemistry has changed with advances in laboratory medicine. Recognizing an increasing number of medical members, the name was changed in 2005 to Association for Clinical Biochemistry. In 2007 the "Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology" merged with the ACB. The membership expanded in 2010 with the merger with the "Association of Clinical Microbiologists". The broader nature of the membership contributed to the renaming of the ACB to its current name at the annual meeting in 2013.[3] The name was changed to the Association for Laboratory medicine in 2024 [4]
LabMed is responsible for determining the specific content for courses related to certification as a clinical biochemist in the UK. Normally this is a three or four year academic sequence followed by qualification examinations. Because of the competitive admission criteria, many applicants have advanced degrees before beginning the biochemistry program.
Papers published by LabMed members are related to the use of laboratories by doctors and patient health diagnostic testing in the UK.
LabMed was part of a 2008 effort by a consortium to support a Scottish government initiative aimed at emphasizing the need for quality laboratory services to the practice of medicine.[8]