The directorate is split into specialist areas depending on the type of testing required. To view the area you are interested please click the relevant link below:
The Biochemistry Department measures a wide variety of chemicals that include carbohydrates (e.g glucose), electrolytes, proteins, enzymes, hormones, metals, lipids, drugs, and other substances to assist clinical staff to deliver high quality care for our patients.
The Department of Clinical Biochemistry provides a comprehensive Biochemistry Service to Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and to other hospitals and General Practitioners in the Fylde.
Biochemistry Staff member using equipment
Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory. No 8866. We are accredited to ISO 15189:2018 standards by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). We provide a wide range of over 150 different tests. In addition to the routine analytical service the department provides an urgent service 24hours/day every day. Biomedical Scientists maintain this service by participating in an extended working pattern. Two clinical scientists support the analytical service by providing a consultative and advisory service.
The department is committed to the provision of a high quality service. We participate in a full range of internal Quality Audit (QA) programmes that monitor the precision and accuracy of all patient results. The department participates in a large number of external QA schemes that assesses the performance of analyses by independently accredited bodies.
This is a scientific service staffed by highly qualified Clinical Scientists and Biomedical Scientists assisted by a dedicated team of Medical Laboratory Assistants.
Laboratory Working Hours
Monday – Friday
Core hours: 9.00am to 5.15pm
The laboratory provides a 24 hour / seven-day-a-week service.
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory; No. 8866
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
Tissue sections are cut and stained on glass slides so that cellular detail can be visualised under a microscope.
A team of medically qualified Histopathologists perform microscopic examination of tissue sections. Some tissue samples such as liver or bone marrow require specialised staining to provide more information to aid the diagnosis. Other tissues such as lymph node or skin require even more specialised staining techniques to demonstrate immunological markers. This technique is called immunocytochemistry and can be an aid in the differential diagnosis of cancers or disease.
Tissue samples come from a wide range of sources including hospital Operating Theatres, Day Surgery Units, Endoscopy and Colposcopy Units, outpatient clinics and GP surgeries.
The department is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory. No 9009. We are accredited to ISO 15189:2012 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.
About Histology
We receive a variety of specimens in the laboratory from various parts of the body. These specimens can range from small biopsies taken in clinic to larger resection specimens taken in theatre. The majority of specimens that we receive are in a preservative called Formalin.
Tissue samples received within the laboratory are prepared and handled by Biomedical Scientists and Pathologists.
Specimens that are received in the laboratory that require dissection are dissected by the Pathologist following the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) guidelines.
Specimen Turn Around Times
Specimens that are received in the department are dealt with by priority. We aim to report 80% of specimens within seven days or less and 90% of specimens within 10 days.
Turn around times are treated in accordance with hospital policy, departmental guidelines and RCPath guidelines.
Our aim is to report cases as quickly as possible with an excellent quality of service, however sometimes the complexity of an individual case will increase the time taken to issue results.
The length of time a specimen takes to be reported may be influenced by a number of factors and technical issues including:
- Type of specimen
- Size of specimen
- Some cases received may be more complex and will need special investigations and further work performing on them to aid diagnosis
- Some cases may need extra fixation
- Incorrectly labelled cards, request forms or specimen pots.
Quality Assurance
The Histopathology department is committed to ensuring patients and users get the highest quality of service. We regularly perform quality control and internal audits, and also participate in the following national quality assurance schemes which include:
UK NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Techniques and Immunohistochemistry Techniques (staining quality)
Quality Reporting System (Tissue Processing Quality)
Laboratory Location and Working Hours
We are located on the first floor of the Pathology building.
Service hours: Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.15pm.
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory; No. 9009
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
We are a UKAS accredited laboratory no 9009 and conform to standards ISO 15189:2012.
Laboratory Location and Working Hours
We are located on the first floor of the Pathology building. The Cytology laboratory is open Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. It does not open at weekends. Tel 01253 956953 (ext 56953).
The majority of Non Gynaecological samples and Synovial fluids are generated in the hospital and are delivered to the laboratory by hospital staff. Samples from GP surgeries arrive by van transport. If samples are received in Cytology by 2.00 pm, they are usually processed the same day. If they arrive later, they are refrigerated and processed the following day.
Andrology samples are brought to the laboratory by the patient. Information can be found in the Post Vasectomy and Fertility Investigations packs issued by the laboratory to service users.
Services Provided by Cytology
- Non Gynaecological Cytology is a diagnostic service and we currently process around 2500 samples a year. We look for the presence of abnormal cells in patient samples from various body sites. Obtaining a specimen for cytological analysis is often performed by using a relatively non-invasive procedure, which can be done in a clinic setting, for example a fine needle aspirate. The specimens are processed and then analysed by our Consultant Pathologist staff. Non-Gynaecological Cytology serves as a valuable diagnostic tool to assist in the diagnosis or confirmation of a variety of pathologies, it may determine the course of treatment required, and facilitate the monitoring of disease.
- Synovial fluid specimens are examined for the presence of the two most common crystals identified are Monosodium urate which is indicative of gout, and Calcium pyrophosphate which may indicate pseudogout.
- Andrology seminal fluid samples received may be tested for sperm clearance following a post vasectomy operation, or an assessment of the number and quality of sperm as part of an investigation into fertility.
Andrology
The Cytology department processes approximately 690 seminal fluid samples per annum. The types of test performed are:-
- Post vasectomy – Seminal fluid samples are examined post vasectomy, at a specified interval set by the clinician for the presence/ absence of sperm
- Vasectomy reversal – this test is to check if a reversal of a vasectomy operation has been successful
- Fertility investigations – the seminal fluid sample is assessed for the number and quality of sperm
- Haematospermia– this test detects if there is blood in the seminal fluid sample which could be due to a number of causes.
The Andrology appointment system
Please note that there is an appointment system for Andrology testing. The number to call for an appointment is Pathology front reception is 01253 956847 or extension 56847.
Patient information packs for post-vasectomy testing and fertility investigations
There are two packs available, one for the post-vasectomy test and one for fertility investigations. They may be obtained from Pathology reception on 01253 956847 extension 56847. The packs contain a screened specimen container, a plastic bag to transport the sample and a patient information leaflet. The leaflet explains in detail how to make an appointment, produce the sample and how to transport and deliver it to Pathology reception.
Important Documents to bring to front reception with the semen sample
1 A fully completed request form.
The GP/clinician must issue a fully completed test request form to the patient in addition to the pack. The request form must have as minimum three identifiers linking the form to the sample container:-
- Full name.
- Date of birth
- Hospital/NHS number.
It is advisable to use the Cyberlab system to generate a barcoded electronic request form. Seminal fluid analysis requesting is found under Non-Gynaecological Cytology. Use the search engine, input seminal and this should take you to the place on the system to request the test.
The screened container label must be completed using an ink pen. The Cyberlab request form has sticky printed labels which may be used to label the container.
2 The Patient Sample details slip
Once the sample has been taken, the patient must fill in the short sample details questionnaire found at the back of the patient information leaflet. The slip must be brought to front reception with the sample. The questions are:-
- Is the sample complete?
- What is the abstention period prior to taking the sample (two up to seven days)?
- What time was the sample taken?
If the laboratory does not know this information, it cannot be confident that the test results are correct, and the patient may have to produce a repeat sample.
Transporting the semen sample
Semen samples are to be kept warm and delivered by the patient, within an hour of being taken to Pathology front reception. Please note: – It is not advisable for the patient to take the sample to the GP for van transport. The delay in reaching the laboratory may affect the validity of the test.
NB. There are short-stay parking spaces (up to one hour) and disabled parking spaces located in the Pathology car park for patients delivering seminal fluid samples for analysis.
Haematospermia samples
A fresh same day sample is required. This may be achieved by the patient delivering the sample to Pathology front reception as per the semen analysis samples previously described.
Turnaraound time for Andrology samples
The turnaraound time for Andrology is seven days from the receipt of the sample. The report is issued to the test requester. The patient will require contact details from the clinician/GP to find out their test results. The laboratory cannot discuss test results with the patient.
Quality Assurance
Cytology is part of the Cellular Pathology department within the Pathology directorate. It a UKAS accredited laboratory no 9009 and conforms to standards ISO 15189:2012.
National External Quality Assurance Schemes (NEQAS);
- NEQAS Reproductive Science run by Central Manchester University Hospitals
- NEQAS for Cellular Pathology Technique (NEQASCPT) run by The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. The scheme organiser is Dr Chantell Hodgson
- Diagnostic Non Gynaecological Cytology (NEQASCPT) Cytology is part of a pilot scheme.
The Cytology staff perform internal quality control and quality assurance procedures. The Quality Management System is monitored by the performance of regular internal quality audit.
Turnaround Times for Non-Gynaecological Cytology
Cytology deals with urgent, GP fast track and routine samples.
The Royal College of Pathologist’s guidelines on turnaround times state that 80% of cases are to be reported within seven calendar days and 90% of cases to be reported within 10 calendar days.
In some cases further diagnostic work is required, which may delay the final report. However in such cases the laboratory/ reporting consultant may be contacted and a preliminary report may be issued. This may require the clinician to provide a phone or bleep number. Also it must be understood that the preliminary report may be subject to change pending the outcome of further tests.
Hard copy Cytology reports are printed and sent out daily to the GP/Consultant who requested the test. There are also electronic links to the report via the hospital/laboratory interfaced information systems.
The Mortuary provides a place to receive, store and release the deceased, both from the hospital and also for some deaths in the community. It also provides a facility to carry out post-mortems for the hospital and for the Coroner. On this page you will find out information about the Mortuary and procedures for bringing the deceased to the Mortuary and viewing them.
The Mortuary deals with a total of 2500-3000 deaths per year that includes Coroner and hospital post-mortems. Each year around 800 Coroners’ post-mortems are performed with consultation and approval of the Blackpool and Fylde HM Coroner or the North Lancashire, Preston and South West District HM Coroner.
Mortuary staff are qualified Anatomical Pathology Technicians (APTs), and they assist a Pathologist when carrying out post-mortems. APTs also carry out a range of other duties required in the day to day running of the Mortuary, such as receiving and releasing deceased and preparing and laying out deceased for viewing or identification.
The The Cellular Pathology department is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory. No 9009. The Mortuary at BVH is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2012 standards, we are also licensed by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
Mortuary: 8am – 4pm (Monday to Friday)
Tel: 01253 (95) 3583
The Bereavement Office
The Bereavement Office is where the paperwork relating to a hospital death is managed and is located at the East Park Drive end of the main corridor close to the Pathology Department (Area 2). We liaise with Ward staff, Mortuary staff, Doctors, Coroner’s officers, bereaved relatives, Registrars and Funeral Directors amongst others on a daily basis.
Bereavement Office: 8.30am – 4pm (Monday to Friday )
Tel: 01253 (95) 3723
Out of hours – Contact Switchboard on 01253 300000
Phlebotomy is the process of withdrawing blood from a vein, the process is known as venepuncture. A person who performs phlebotomy is called a phlebotomist.
The key duties of a phlebotomist include:
- Ensuring correct identification of the patient
- Interpreting the tests requested on the request form
- Preparing the patient
- Accurately explaining the procedure of blood collection
- Minimising the risk of infection
- Drawing blood into the correct blood tubes in the correct order
- Instructing patients on post-puncture care
- Labelling sample tubes with correct patient details
- Ensuring samples are delivered to the laboratory in a timely manner.
GP Blood Test Request Appointments
Online
The quickest and most efficient way to book a blood test is via the Sangix Online portal:
https://
Or scan this QR code with your smart phone:
These are booked at Whitegate Drive Health Centre or Fleetwood Health and Well-being Centre
Appointments are available Monday to Friday 09:30- 12:00 and 13:00- 16:00
Alternatively call 01253 956719 to book via Anticoagulation Services (ADAS)
Patient information
Please note that bloods cannot be taken without a fully completed request card (CyberLab form). This will be provided by your clinician and is necessary so that the phlebotomist knows the correct type and number of sample tubes to be taken.
The following blood tests MUST be taken at the Pathology phlebotomy department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Please ensure you are booked at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for these and NOT Whitegate Drive Health Centre or Fleetwood Health and Well-being Centre. Please use the online portal for booking as above, or alternatively call the anticoagulation services number 01253 956719
NOTE: Blood samples for chromosomes are sent away to St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester for testing. These samples MUST NOT be taken on a Friday as they would not arrive until Monday and would be too old for testing.
- 9am Cortisol
- ACTH
- Aldosterone
- Amino Acids
- Ammonia
- Bone markers
- Calcitonin
- Catecholamines
- Chromogranin
- C-peptide
- Cold agglutinins
- Cryoglobulins
- Cystatin C
- Gut hormones
- Lactate
- Metadrenalines
- Metanephrines
- Pro-collagen peptide (P3MP)
- Renin
- T-spots- taken AM ONLY
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
If unsure please contact the relevant testing laboratory for more information
Quality assurance
Phlebotomists receive thorough in-house training which includes the following:
- In-depth venepuncture training
- Trust mandatory training, including Infection Control, Information Governance, Consent and Data Protection, Safeguarding
- Hand hygiene training
All our phlebotomists are competency-assessed each year.
The Haematology department provides a comprehensive Haematological Diagnostic Testing Service for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the surrounding GPs. We operate a 24/7 service for full blood counts and blood morphology, coagulation work alongside various miscellaneous tests including malarial parasite investigations, ESR and infectious mononucleosis tests.
The service provides diagnostic support to our Haematology/Oncology unit which is a Tertiary Referral Centre for patients with both malignant and non-malignant haematological disorders (e.g leukaemia, lymphoma and haemophilia).
The Haematology Laboratory has two main processing areas which are Full Blood Counts and the miscellaneous tests which includes blood / bone marrow film microscopy and the Coagulation Section.
The Haematology Department is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No 8867. The laboratory currently is fully accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Status (UKAS) to the internationally recognised standard ISO 15189: 2012.
Full Blood Count Section
We are equipped with three Advia 2120i Automated Full Blood Count (FBC) analysers. These systems process in the region of 1400 FBCs per day and provide fully automated reports for a large number of the samples processed.
Abnormal FBCs have to be investigated further and blood films are prepared and stained for manual microscope examination by our team of Biomedical Scientists. The laboratory is also responsible for staining and preparation of the bone marrow samples which are sent in from the Haematology Consultants based at the hospital.
We use a Starsedd automated ESR machine for processing ESR samples of which we process in the region of 400 per day.
Special tests such as Malaria, Infectious Mononucleosis screening and Sickle Testing are performed as requested using kits.
Coagulation Section
For our coagulation work we use two ACL TOP automated analysers, which process approximately 400 routine coagulation tests daily including APTT, INR and D Dimer tests.
These analysers also perform our specialist coagulation tests some of which include various Factor assays, Haemophilia and Thrombophilia screening. Many of these tests require Consultant Haematologist approval before testing as they are more complicated to perform and are not done on a daily basis.
Laboratory Location and Working Hours
The Haematology Laboratory is found on the ground floor of the Pathology Department which is located in Area 2 at the end of the main corridor next to East Park Drive entrance.
Monday-Friday.
Core hours: 9.00am to 5.15pm.
The laboratory provides a 24 hour / seven-day-a-week service.
Outside normal working hours, contact the Switchboard on 01253 300000.
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory; No. 8867
The Haematology Department is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No 8867. The laboratory holds UKAS accreditation to internationally recognised standard ISO 15189:2012.
We offer the following tests on site at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals:
Immunophenotyping
Fluorescently labelled monoclonal antibodies are used to label the cells present in the patient’s blood, marrow, lymph node or fluid samples. These cells are then run through the flow cytometer and data collected on the presence of various antigens which gives information on the cell’s lineage and state of maturation. This can help distinguish various haematological disorders such as leukaemias.
The laboratory is equipped with a Beckman Coulter Navios flow cytometer, which allow the identification of antibody-antigen reactions by identifying light emitted by fluorochromes conjugated to the antibodies used. The pattern of positive and negative reactions provide the Immunophenotype.
Monitoring CD4 counts
Absolute CD4 counts are used to monitor the progress of HIV positive patients. They are also sometimes requested to assess the immune status of patients. The association of disease progression with the decline in CD4+ T-lymphocytes, the management of HIV infected individuals requires the precise and accurate measurement of this lymphocyte subset.
Stem Cell Harvesting (CD34 Counts)
The Immunology department perform the CD34 counts on blood samples pre stem cell harvest to determine the timing of harvest. This is done for both patients with lymphoma and myeloma so that following chemotherapy the patient’s own stem cells can be given back and allowed to engraft and repopulate the bone marrow.
We also perform a CD34 count on the harvested stem cell collection in order to inform the ward if sufficient stem cells have been collected or if further growth factor is needed. The stem cells are then sent by them to Liverpool BTS for cryopreservation and storage ready for re-infusion.
HLA B27 Antigen Detection
The onset of seronegative spondyloarthropies such as ankolying spondylitits and inflammatory bowel disease are associated with HLA B27 antigen expression on T lymphocytes.
Rheumatoid Factor Testing
The Immunology department runs daily batches of rheumatoid factor assays as a screening test for rheumatoid arthritis using a BN ProSpec System analyser.
Laboratory Location and Working Hours
The Immunology Laboratory is found on the ground floor of the Pathology Department which is located in Area 2 at the end of the main corridor next to East Park Drive Entrance.
Monday-Friday.
Core hours: 9.00am to 5.15pm.
Phlebotomy is the process of withdrawing blood from a vein, the process is known as venepuncture. A person who performs phlebotomy is called a phlebotomist.
The key duties of a phlebotomist include:
- Ensuring correct identification of the patient
- Interpreting the tests requested on the request form
- Preparing the patient
- Accurately explaining the procedure of blood collection
- Minimising the risk of infection
- Drawing blood into the correct blood tubes in the correct order
- Instructing patients on post-puncture care
- Labelling sample tubes with correct patient details
- Ensuring samples are delivered to the laboratory in a timely manner.
Department location and working hours
The Phlebotomy Outpatients department is on the ground floor in the Pathology Department, which is located in Area 2 at the end of the main corridor, next to East Park Drive entrance.
Operating hours: Monday-Friday, 08:30 to 16:30
Microbiology
Medical Microbiology is a branch of medicine and Microbiology which deals with the study of micro-organisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites). The laboratory aspect of medical Microbiology is involved in diagnosis of infection caused by bacteria, fungi and parasites; identification of the best treatment options for infection; and the monitoring of antibiotic resistance. It also includes testing for how well a patient is responding to treatment of infection. Consultant Microbiologists also spend a lot of time on the wards, seeing patients and advising clinical and laboratory colleagues on the investigation and treatment of all types of infection.
Bacteriology
The department aims to provide a comprehensive, accurate, cost effective Microbiology service to the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, satellite community hospitals, General Practitioners, the GUM clinic and local Environmental Health departments.
The Microbiology Department is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No 8868. We are fully accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the internationally recognised ISO 15189:2012 standards.
The Bacteriology Laboratory is responsible for the isolation, identification and sensitivity testing of bacterial isolates from clinical specimens (eg urine, faeces, wounds, sputum etc), the isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi from skin and nail specimens, the identification of parasites from faecal specimens and the isolation of Mycobacterium species from clinical samples.
The department is overseen by four Microbiology Consultants with interests in Microbiology, Virology and Control of Infection. They also advise on the COMMIT outpatient antimicrobial therapy service and are lead investigators in several research projects.
Additional areas of activity include support for: –
- Control of infection including MRSA screening and Clostridium Difficile detection
- Environmental Health Departments
- Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM clinic)
- Drug Dependency Unit (DDU).
The Microbiology staff comprise of Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA), Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Specialist BMS, Specialist BMS Section Managers and a Head of Department and Consultant Microbiologists.
Quality Assurance
The department is committed to the provision of a fast, accurate and high quality service to all users. We participate in the National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) in the following distributions:
- General Bacteriology
- AAFB microscopy
- Faecal parasitology
- Mycology.
The department is registered with the HPC for the training of Biomedical Scientists and through the medium of open evenings and outside events promotes the profession to prospective entrants.
Laboratory Location and Working Hours
The Microbiology Department is found on the second floor of the Pathology Department which is located in Area 2 at the end of the main corridor next to the East Park Drive entrance.
Core hours:
Monday – Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm.
Weekends: 8.00am – 6.00 pm.
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory ; No. 8868
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
The laboratory provides a 24 hour / seven-day-a-week service; the Bacteriology Department runs an emergency on-call service between 8pm and 8am, weekday nights and 6pm and 8am weekend nights.
The out of hours service provides cover for “clinical emergencies only” requested by hospital clinicians. This includes C.S.F. and sterile fluids. At the discretion of the Consultants other requests can be handled during these hours.
The Consultant Microbiologists take part in a clinical on call rota covering both clinical and control of infection advice.
Medical Microbiology is a branch of medicine and Microbiology which deals with the study of micro-organisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites). The laboratory aspect of medical Microbiology is involved in diagnosis of infection caused by bacteria, fungi and parasites; identification of the best treatment options for infection; and the monitoring of antibiotic resistance. It also includes testing for how well a patient is responding to treatment of infection. Consultant Microbiologists also spend a lot of time on the wards, seeing patients and advising clinical and laboratory colleagues on the investigation and treatment of all types of infection.
What is Virology?
The virology laboratory tests a range of specimens including urine, blood, CSF and swabs. These specimens are analysed using modern diagnostic techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which utilises DNA replication methods and ELISA which takes advantage of specific antigen/antibody interactions.
How important is Virology?
The history of Virology as a separate discipline is rather short. It was the work of Edward Jenner in the 1700s which demonstrated the infectious nature of these mysterious agents when he used the material from cowpox to generate a vaccine against smallpox.
The immune response takes approximately two weeks to produce IgM antibodies. However, the technology to recognise these agents did not exist until recent years. Historically therefore, if these tests were performed soon after infection a number of false negative results would have been reported.
Molecular methods now allow us to diagnose many diseases with much more accuracy; this is a huge turning point for virology and historically will remain the main focus of this discipline for many years to come.
The Microbiology Department is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No 8868. We are fully accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the internationally recognised ISO 15189:2012 standards.
This is a scientific service staffed by highly qualified Clinical Scientists and Biomedical Scientists assisted by Medical Laboratory Assistants.
Quality Assurance
The laboratory takes part in National External Quality Assessment schemes. Samples are sent from a reference laboratory for examination; we perform the tests and return the results. Our performance is compared nationally with the other laboratories in the scheme and also with previous work carried out by us. This gives confidence that our results are not varying over time and that they are similar to those obtained from other laboratories.
Internal Quality Control (IQC) is a means of checking that results are reliable before being issued. IQC is routinely performed and constantly reviewed.
The laboratory is regularly assessed by UKAS. This ensures that the laboratory provides a high quality service to defined standards. Accreditation provides confidence to the user and patient that standards set by UKAS are achieved and maintained.
Laboratory Location and Working Hours
The Virology Laboratory is located on the second floor of the Pathology Department.
This is identified as Area 2 on the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals site map.
Core hours:
Monday – Friday, 8.45am to 5.00pm.
