What we do
The Pathology Directorate specialise in the detection of disease through the use of a variety of investigative techniques. The work done by Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists can be vital in finding an accurate diagnosis and improving the prospects for treatment. Pathologists also play an important role in identifying the sources of disease and reducing the possible risks of further spread.
The purpose of the directorate is: ‘To provide a timely, high quality, cost-effective and responsive pathology service to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and their patients.’Our Pathology service performs approx. 1.5 million pathology tests and serves Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and the wider surrounding area.
Pathology comprises of several UKAS accredited laboratories:
Biochemistry
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8866
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation
Cellular Pathology
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 9009
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation
Haematology
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8867
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation
Microbiology
A UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8868
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation
Our laboratories are assessed by United Kingdom Accreditation Status (UKAS) to the internationally recognised ISO 15189:2012 standard. All laboratories currently hold UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012. The Mortuary is also licenced by HTA (Human Tissue Authority).
Our Pathology Directorate is comprised of several departments;
- ADAS
- Biochemistry
- Blood Transfusion
- Cell Pathology (comprising of Histology and Cytology)
- Haematology (including the Phlebotomy clinic)
- Immunology
- Microbiology (comprising of Bacteriology and Virology)
- Mortuary
The Pathology Department and Mortuary are located in Area 2 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, whilst ADAS is located next to the Urgent Care Centre.
The Pathology Reception area and Phlebotomy Outpatients department is located on the ground floor of the Pathology Department at the end of the main corridor, next to the East Park Drive entrance. Our opening times are Monday to Friday, 8:45 to 16:30.
In most cases you’ll have your sample taken in the hospital or at your GP surgery or clinic. The Doctor or Nurse will then pass it on to the lab and it will be processed from there.
If you have to hand in a sample yourself, such as a stool, urine or semen sample, you should always follow the instructions given to you in advance. This will ensure your test results are as reliable as possible and will avoid having to take samples again. This includes instructions about any changes to your diet.
For example, if you have to hand in a semen sample, it should be kept warm, and you are often asked to fast before a blood test for diabetes.
Always make sure that you label any specimen container with:
- First name
- Last name
- Date of birth
- Reference or hospital number (if you have one)
- Nature of the specimen (such as urine, faeces etc)
- Date and time the specimen was taken
More information on laboratory tests can be found at http:/
The majority of samples are processed within the same day; other samples may require more time and resources. Once the result is obtained, it is sent to your Consultant, GP, Nurse or other medical professional for interpretation in combination with your medical history.
When visiting this hospital as a patient, your Doctor may request some laboratory tests. To do these tests it will be necessary to collect certain specimens from you, for example, blood, urine or other bodily fluids or tissue.
Your Doctor or Nurse will explain the need for these tests. The results will be given to your Doctor and used to help him/her to make a diagnosis and/or follow your progress after any treatment.
It is important for your health care that you agree to these tests. Most times a verbal agreement is sufficient. At other times, for example, when a biopsy is to be taken, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
When all the tests that your Doctor has requested have been completed, there may be some of your specimen left, this will either be thrown away or stored for future testing if a Doctor thinks this may be of some use in caring for you.
On some occasions, we would like to use this left over specimen for teaching, Public Health monitoring or to ensure the accuracy of laboratory equipment or systems in the laboratory.
If your left-over specimen was to be used in this way your name would be removed. However sometimes it will be necessary to retain some information, for example, your age and sex. In either case no one would be able to trace the specimen back to you and its use would not alter your treatment in anyway.
Please tell your Doctor/Nurse if you do not wish your left over specimen to be used in this way. Your wishes will be recorded on the request form accompanying your tests.
If the procedure to collect your specimen requires you to sign a consent form there is a specific section for you to record your wishes.
This use of left over specimen is different from any specific research or clinical trials, which your Doctor may have discussed.
The Trust and its employees have responsibilities and legal requirements to keep information safe, secure and confidential at all times.
Customers may contact the Pathology Directorate through various methods such as phone calls, visits, letters or via email. Specific clinical or technical queries should be via the appropriate Laboratory Manager or duty on-call Consultant or Biomedical Scientist (whichever is most appropriate).
Contact via Switchboard 01253 300000.
Formal complaints are addressed by the instigation of the Trust Complaints Procedure.
If you have a complaint regarding the Pathology Directorate, please contact the Patient Relations Department on 01253 955588 in the first instance.
