On a crisp early spring day in Bern, Switzerland, we welcomed 24 trainees for our JACIE Inspector Training Course on March 7, 2025. This session was hosted in collaboration with the SBST (Swiss Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Group), who kindly provided an excellent venue and support throughout the day.
In preparation for the in-person training, all participants completed e-learning modules focused on the Accreditation process and the FACT-JACIE Standards, ensuring they arrived well-prepared for the on-site workshop exploring inspection methodology and practial application.
We were pleased to be joined by experienced inspectors Jürgen Finke, Hans Vrielink and Sarah Holtby, who generously shared their knowledge, practical insights and personal experiences with the group, helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Following the training, each participant will complete an exam on the Standards relevant to their specialty. They will then join inspections as observers, before taking on the full responsibilities of JACIE inspectors.
Report by Shreyas Hanmantgad
Senior fellow, BMT and Cellular Therapy, Kings College Hospital London, United Kingdom
I was fortunate to attend the JACIE Inspectors Training Course in Bern on 7 March — an experience that was as inspiring as it was informative.
The course was thoughtfully designed, offering a clear and practical look at what it means to be a JACIE inspector. In the lead-up to the training day, we worked through a series of eLearning modules that gave a helpful overview of the inspection framework. These set the stage and made it easier to dive into the in-person sessions with confidence.
The training itself struck a great balance between theory and practice. The sessions were led by experts like Jürgen Finke, Hans Vrielink and Sarah Holtby, whose clarity, enthusiasm and deep experience brought the material to life. It was an engaging learning environment — open, supportive, and full of useful insights.
The course also reminded us of the real purpose behind inspections: supporting continuous quality improvement and ensuring consistent, high standards in transplant and cellular therapy programmes. This message came through clearly throughout the day.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the course was the role play session. It was fun and lively — but also incredibly useful. These exercises gave us a chance to apply what we’d learnt in real-world scenarios and helped build confidence in handling the challenges that can come up during inspections. Plus, they were a great icebreaker and brought the group together.
A huge ‘thank you’ to Tuula Rintala and Raquel Espada for putting the whole course together — the effort and care they put in were obvious. And a special word of thanks to Ryan Paalvast, JACIE HR Inspectors Coordinator, whose support helped to make this course a smooth sailing.
One of the unexpected highlights was being in Bern during its famous Carnival. The streets were filled with music, colourful parades, and a wonderful festive energy — a joyful backdrop that added something special to the whole experience.
Just as valuable as the training itself was the chance to meet and connect with colleagues from across Europe. The sense of community, shared purpose, and commitment to high-quality care really stood out — and made me feel proud to be stepping into this role.
I left Bern feeling energised, encouraged, and ready to contribute to the JACIE mission.