We provide a diagnostic and screening service to the Trust and local GPs for NHS and private consultations. Specimens from other health care providers are welcomed subject to prior agreement.

We offer a range of testing and screening services for a number of different conditions. These include:

• Testing and screening for alert organisms of health care acquired infection (C. difficile and M.R.S.A.). Our department participates in the department of health’s mandatory surveillance and reporting required by the health protection agency
• Testing and screening for chlamydia by polymerase chain reaction methodology. The department also participates in the national chlamydia screening programme (NCSP)
• Semen screening analysis is available by appointment for infertility investigation.

All clinically significant results are authorised by clinicians who are also available to give advice on treatment and infection prevention.

Our laboratory is open 5 days a week from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm.

There is a morning service at weekends for bacteriology only.

At all other times there is an out of hours service for emergency specimens.

Micro Lab Handbook 2019