Cork woman who picked up STEM award: "I’m passionate about helping people"

PATRICIA Macropoulos had no choice but to travel to Dublin for regular blood tests because such a time-sensitive service didn’t exist in Cork at the time.

That was in 2021, but the ‘crazy situation’ was in fact her light-bulb moment to set up her business Access Laboratories which is ultimately about bringing ‘healthcare to the high street’.

“It’s about making fully accredited blood testing readily available. People can get tests done when they’re needed and to the highest international standards. Currently, I am offering same day or next day appointments, with standard test results available in as little as 24-48 hours,” she said.

Already a highly-skilled and vastly experienced state-registered medical scientist at that time, Patricia upskilled as a phlebotomist (someone who is trained to perform blood draws on children and adults), and Access Laboratories has been based in Midleton since January, 2023.

“GP services in the country are currently overwhelmed and often times you can be waiting weeks to even get an appointment for your routine bloods,” she pointed out.

“The feedback from clients is they are absolutely delighted with the service. If anything shows up in their blood work, then they can go to their GP. 

They love the speed of the service and are happy that they are not taking up an appointment with their GP that someone who is sick might need.

Among the services she offers are a standard health check, where crucially patients get full access to their results, allowing them to track readings year-on-year, and while Patricia is not a doctor, she has 24 years’ experience as a medical scientist and is experienced in interpreting blood test results. She also offers a blood collection service for anyone that needs bloods taken for testing kits they may have ordered.

With thousands of tests available at Access Laboratories, Patricia offers fully accredited food intolerance checks, food allergy testing, male and female hormone checks, tests for Lyme disease and extended thyroid and cardiac lipid profiles.

The service is available to healthcare practitioners such as GPs and other healthcare providers who need blood tests to support their work or require more extensive tests that are not routinely available.

There are several nutritional therapists and consultants nationally and internationally using the service to treat their clients.

“We were are also one of the first in Cork to provide direct public access to Anti-Mullerian Hormone tests without the need for GP referral, which is a ground-breaking indicator of ovarian reserve,” she said.

Making this test available, and making women aware of its importance, is something she feels passionate about.

“No one ever talks about the AMH test, which is a good indicator of your fertility level, with a direct correlation between your results and your egg quantity and quality. 

I feel very strongly that every woman from 30 on should have the test annually. I am a huge advocate of knowing your numbers.

That ties in with her ‘prevention is better than cure’ and ‘knowledge is power’ approach.

“While a wonderful technology, some people might regard IVF as a ‘panacea’, but it’s not always the case for everyone. I would love to see women being more informed and educated about their fertility from a younger age,” she said.

Patricia has also had great results with food intolerance testing, with some people describing the results as ‘life-changing’. The pandemic changed how people view health care, and how it’s delivered, she pointed out.

“It opened up an awareness that you don’t have to be treated locally, and that you can potentially see a doctor or receive your treatment elsewhere. But often that depends on a patient having access to local blood testing, and that’s where I come in.

“I work with a number of consultants around the country, and abroad and I have GPs sending patients for some tests such as allergy testing that is not routinely available or that there are long wait times for.

“I also do QuantiFERON latent TB testing for healthcare professionals that is not available elsewhere.”

The pandemic saw people taking ownership of their health: “People felt empowered. We were doing Covid antigen tests in our own homes, after all. 

We all want to lead long, happy and healthy lives so we will do what’s needed to ensure that, and that’s where my service come in – future proofing our health and being proactive about it.

Born in Athens, Patricia has lived in Cork since she was six, and is currently living in Carrigtwohill. Her mother’s family were from Bere Island and her dad, who passed away 15 years ago, was Greek.

Patricia graduated from UCC with a first class honours in Biomedical Science in 2000 and worked extensively in London, and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, based in St Finbarr’s Hospital in Cork, where she still works part-time.

She has found joining Network Cork has been an incredible source of information, encouragement and support.

“I remember going along for the first time, just to have a look really, and it was like I had walked into some sort of secret garden! I was blown away to find so many amazing women in the one place, some of whom I had already met while setting up Access (Labs). Being an entrepreneur can be lonely at times – this felt like I had struck gold and found my tribe!”

Patricia said she couldn’t recommend joining the group, highly enough. 

“The Network really lifts you up. You realise everyone experiences the same struggles and that a problem shared is a problem halved.

It’s like this huge archive of information, support and resources available to you.

Winning the Stem Professional award mattered more to her than she had imagined, she said.

Judges singled out her ‘entrepreneurial courage’ and described her as ‘someone with the potential to change the future of her industry.’

“It’s definitely been a highlight of my professional career so far.”

And it has motivated her to drive the business on.

“At the moment, my hands are pretty full, but it is a model that could easily be rolled out to other locations. I definitely see myself expanding the service. I’d love to see GPs taking advantage of it. That’s why I’m here – to support them and the health service any way I can. I’m passionate about helping people. I’m offering tests that aren’t being done elsewhere and I know I’m making a difference.”

The past year has been a lot of hard work, but also hugely exciting.

“It’s been a real exponential learning curve, but I’ve loved every minute of it. I would like to thank my 12-year-old daughter Rhea who has been so supportive of me and understanding of the hours I have worked to establish the business. I hope I’m a good role model for her, and all our family and friends for their support; as none of this would have been possible without them.”