Report of the JACIE Inspector Training Course - Barcelona 2026

The JACIE Office was delighted to welcome a new cohort of inspector trainees following the first JACIE Inspector Training Course of 2026. Hosted in Barcelona, Spain on 27 February 2026, the course brought together 19 participants from across Europe and the UK for a full day of interactive learning focused on inspection processes, methodology and best practice.

Building on preparatory e-learning modules covering the certification process and the FACT-JACIE Standards, trainees arrived well equipped to engage in presentations, group discussions and role-play exercises designed to strengthen both their technical understanding and practical inspection skills. The in-person workshop provided an invaluable opportunity to explore real-world inspection scenarios and deepen participants’ confidence in applying the Standards in practice.

We were extremely lucky to have our experienced Spanish inspectors Jesus Fernandez, Carlos Torrico and Olga Lopez, in addition to Tuula Rintala, Raquel Espada and Martha Hernandez from the JACIE Office, to share their knowledge, practical insights and personal experiences with the group, bridging 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.

We welcome all our new members of the JACIE Inspector Community!
 

Report by Su Han Lim

Dr Su Han Lim is a Consultant Paediatric Immunologist and Co-Programme Director for Paediatric Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Newcastle. She is the Principal Investigator of the Haplo+4Kids trial, the first UK investigator-led controlled clinical trial in HSCT for inborn errors of immunity, which aims to optimise haploidentical transplant strategy using memory T-cell addback and pharmacokinetic study in all conditioning regimens.

The hybrid JACIE Inspector Training Course was a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the principles and practical application of the JACIE accreditation process. The online training allowed participants to learn at their own pace and provided flexibility to review the materials in advance of the in-person course. I attended the in-person component of the training in Barcelona in February 2026, which provided an excellent platform for interactive discussion and learning. It was also a valuable opportunity to meet the JACIE team and colleagues from other centres and to exchange experiences on accreditation and inspection practice.

 

The course offered a clear overview of the structure and intent of the JACIE standards, highlighting how they support quality assurance, patient safety and continuous improvement within cellular therapy programmes. One of the most useful aspects of the course was the detailed discussion of the inspector’s role and the stepwise approach to conducting an inspection. This helped clarify how inspectors should systematically review documentation, interview staff and assess facilities. The training emphasised that inspections are not only about identifying non-compliance but also about understanding the clinical context and evaluating whether robust systems are in place to ensure safe and consistent delivery of cellular therapy services.

 

Role-play inspection scenarios were particularly valuable in translating the written standards into real-world practice. These sessions demonstrated how inspectors should approach documentation review, staff interviews and facility assessment while maintaining a balanced, objective and collaborative approach.

 

The course also reinforced the importance of teamwork during inspections. The roles of the team leader, effective communication within the inspection team and coordination of findings were clearly explained.

 

Overall, the course strengthened my understanding of the JACIE accreditation framework and increased my confidence in participating in future inspections. Many thanks to Tuula, Xiu Li and Ryan for organising such an excellent training programme.