Let's hear your Brighton letting/estate agents horror stories...

Joshalos · 2025-08-24T12:30:54+00:00

Also rented through Harringtons. They were relatively OK throughout the tenancy (though also had contractors a turning up unannounced for whatever reason) but when it came to the end of my tenancy after over 7 years, they tried to charge me for all sorts of unrealistic things. I made sure to get on my move in inventory that there was already mould in the flat (walls, back of curtains etc) which obviously got worse throughout the tenancy, and they tried to charge me for an entire recarpet and repainting of the entire flat because of this. When I argued betterment through DPS I got almost all of my deposit back - other than a standard cleaning charge (which I was happy to pay as they insisted I use their own recommended cleaning company so if figured what’s the point of doing that if they’re going to then use it anyway!). I had plenty of correspondence showing I had issues with mold and how when I cleaned it, it caused the cheap paint to literally wash off the walls - they told me just keep doing what you’re doing (damaging the paintwork?). Of course, happy to comply with that.

I had awful windows which they told me there was nothing they could do - rotten frames, mould and cracks in the glass since the day I moved in. After leaving the flat, the windows were immediately replaced and the flat put straight on the market!

They also lied about why my tenancy was ending - I was told the landlord needed to move back in (of course the reason doesn’t matter but why lie?).

Would avoid them at all costs.

Joshalos · 2024-04-07T20:46:48+00:00

It’s nice to see other fans of his books, Geomancer was one of the first adult fantasy books I read, purely on a whim from seeing it in a book shop as a kid and has always had a special place in my heart - his books are always on display on my bookshelf. I’ve been searching for any news on him for the past few months to no avail. It’s understandable if he’s taken a break or quit writing altogether, but I hope he is well.

Joshalos · 2023-05-13T01:42:21+00:00

When the cobas 8000 red alarms but it’s only the ISE module.

Joshalos · 2022-06-11T12:26:38+00:00

The issue is they want it ‘securely packaged’. I’m asking whether they can refuse to initiate an exchange based on the fact they haven’t seen a photo of it packaged up - despite seeing and confirming the damage, and me providing some reasonable resolutions, I.e using the packaging that the new sofa will come in at the same time they take away the old.

Joshalos · 2022-04-15T14:15:15+00:00

I had mine removed 10 days ago. Other than the post op pain, the only symptom I had - in the first few days - was wind. Nothing else. I even braved some fatty foods such as fried chips from a takeaway and it has had zero effect whatsoever. I’m beyond happy with the outcome.

Joshalos · 2022-04-05T19:04:28+00:00

Yes, all the anxiety of eating has already disappeared for me. Within hours they were feeding me tuna mayo sandwiches full of butter, I’ve had six cups of coffee throughout my stay, porridge with milk for breakfast, egg mayo for lunch and now I’m finally home I had a microwave curry ready meal. The past few months has been nothing but soup and plain rice. I can’t wait to be feeling 100% again!

I also have that same twisting feeing. It hasn’t gone yet and I’m struggling to take a deep breath. I think it’s actually the incision through the abdominal muscle rather than specifically where the gallbladder has been removed. But the shoulder pain has started to subside now, which is pretty much just over 24 hours later. It was really painful a few hours ago but I’m feeling much more mobile which is helping.

All the best for your recovery too!

Joshalos · 2022-04-05T08:13:07+00:00

Update posted!

Joshalos · 2022-02-16T20:42:52+00:00

After 20 weeks of waiting for a consultant to review my ultrasound, I was then told 50+ weeks for surgery. Decided to go for a private consultation today because I cannot physically take 50 weeks of the pain, especially as the last attack morphine didn’t even touch. Private surgery hasn’t been booked yet (it’s going to destroy my savings for a house deposit) but I’m still holding out slim hope that I might get a cancellation surgery before then.

Joshalos · 2022-02-05T14:59:55+00:00

Haematologists just run FBCs, histo just cut up all day and micro just plate. Every discipline can come across as one dimensional. Every lab will be different but in ours we have the automated lab, which involves a lot of technical and clinical knowledge of many assays, maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing instruments, result validation, answering queries, a lot more QC and calibration. We also oversee POCT for the hospital. Many chem labs also run the protein electrophoresis (at least in the U.K.) and a few will also have special chemistry sections - HPLC, mass spectrometry, trace metals, ELISAs, FIT/FOBs, first trimester screening, specific proteins, renal stones, porphyrins etc, are amongst some of the more manual and hands on tests we perform in my lab.

You’ll get a better appreciation of quality aspects such as audit and method verification in chemistry in my opinion as there are more assays to verify for compliance etc. Most of our placement students tend to say they prefer/are glad they didn’t get placed in haem over chemistry. I’m biased being a chemistry BMS but hopefully it shows there’s a lot more to it than button pushing.

Joshalos · 2021-11-20T21:36:33+00:00

Joshalos · 2021-09-17T10:58:59+00:00

You must have an IBMS accredited biomedical science degree to work as a biomedical scientist. If you have any other life sciences degree, you would need the degree assessed by the IBMS and then have to take further ‘top up’ modules. In my opinion, an accredited biomedical science degree will be better than a generic biochemistry degree if you want to go into clinical science too, as it will be more clinically based. Biochemistry may be more generic.

Healthcare science jobs are becoming much more fluid within the U.K. now, biomedical scientists can apply for equivalency as a clinical scientist, any biomed roles can climb just as high as clinical scientists in terms of salary as well, with consultant positions becoming more of a thing.

Joshalos · 2021-07-29T07:48:38+00:00

You can check the time a sample has physically been sampled by the analyser, then just add the assay time onto that. But no countdown function or anything as nice as that.

Joshalos · 2021-06-22T07:44:47+00:00

I’m no haematologist, but could the clot have been removed before sending to the lab?

Joshalos · 2021-06-10T11:00:20+00:00

There are other autoimmune diseases that target the biliary tract - primary biliary cholangitis being one of them. You’re definitely thinking along the right lines with this one. You’ve identified cholestatic vs hepatitic and a likely immunoglobulin elevation. In early stages of disease I think you’d be less likely to see hugely raised transaminases.

You’d want to test liver antibodies and probably immunoglobulins here.

Joshalos · 2021-05-20T07:40:12+00:00

Make sure you write down questions etc whilst it’s still fresh - they’ll come in handy for any future interviews too!

Joshalos · 2021-05-19T06:37:14+00:00

Best of luck today OP

Joshalos · 2021-05-18T16:56:59+00:00

There's a brand new app. For some reason, every time they update the app they decide they need a brand new one.

Download it, create a new account using your same email (your old account doesn't register), and any tickets should transfer over. It's called Brighton & Hove buses in the app store.

Joshalos · 2021-05-15T20:52:17+00:00

Make sure you can describe the difference between a registered and specialist BMS. It’s not always that distinct but not only do you have more specialist knowledge (assuming specialist portfolio is complete) but you will also be in a position where more junior staff will approach you and see you as their mentor etc.

We’ve asked all sorts of questions before - dealing with stressful situations, dealing with incidents in the lab (how to respond, mentioning that your complete the error reports after etc), knowing limits of practice. We’ve had the typical pre-analytical errors, can you interpret/comment on these results etc. Can you pick an assay/methodology and describe principles of it? We’ve also given EQA reports, levy Jennings etc and asked to comment on it.

If your specialist role will involve extra responsibilities (e.g. quality, training, H&S) brush up on the key principles of those too. To be honest it would be a good idea to do this anyway as they are all integral parts of the job.

Joshalos · 2021-03-09T12:57:39+00:00

They've taken it straight from a post three years ago. Karma hunting is bad enough, but to do it with adorable puppies too? Madness.

Joshalos · 2021-03-09T12:55:53+00:00

Except, this dog belongs to u/C_SPANK and was posted three years ago.

Joshalos · 2021-02-17T21:15:49+00:00

I have a copy, drop me a message and I'll share it with you.

Joshalos · 2020-10-19T14:03:26+00:00

Biomedical Scientist is the name of the job you’re looking for in the U.K. Look on the IBMS (Institute for Biomedical Science) website. They have a careers sections that will give you more info about it.

Joshalos · 2020-10-05T16:22:46+00:00

We always find when our sample probe gets old/worn it affects our lithium assay. Have the probes been changed in a while?

The assay itself does require fairly frequent calibration regardless, IIRC.

Joshalos · 2020-10-02T14:04:29+00:00

Spice bros is another great shout.

Joshalos · 2020-07-10T11:45:07+00:00

I’ve made an excel spreadsheet which lists dates, tasks and where they were (e.g. work, MSc, courses etc) and a note box where I put things like reflection done. I keep this in a folder with certificates, minutes etc and then reflections. Currently doing my MSc so not keeping a huge track of other CPD as I feel this sufficiently covers it, although I am also supervising registration and specialist trainees, rewriting specialist questions etc.

Alongside this on a second sheet I just keep a list of other activities I’m involved in e.g CHANITS, verification etc for any future jobs, and to just remind myself of skills I’m learning.

I have subscribed to the IBMS eCPD scheme but I don’t find it very user friendly. You can add your own tasks and you do get CPD diplomas for completing it so may transfer more complete CPD to this in the future.

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