Update: November 2023
Wednesday, 01 November 2023
Important Do’s, Ziwig Endotest® for endometriosis, Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) update, HbA1c (GHB) results,Test request forms, Stool pots, Covid testing, Blood groups for babies less than 5 months old
Update: Andrology reference values
Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Andrology is updating its reference values to those now given in the most recent
WHO guidelines (2021).
Haemophilia and Thrombosis NGS Panels (Updated)
Monday, 14 August 2023
Our Genetics teams are using high-throughput sequencing to combine the testing for rare bleeding, platelet and thrombosis disorders into a single workflow.
Update: May 2023
Friday, 19 May 2023
Test and service updates including: Gonorrhoea sensitivity testing; Swabs and fluids: types and codes; Discontinued tests; QFIT and Calprotectin.
Change in method from Jaffe to Enzymatic Creatinine
Thursday, 11 May 2023
To date, the Jaffe method has been used for measuring creatinine in all sample types. From 9th May the Jaffe method will be replaced by an alternative enzymatic method.
Extended range of UKCA self-collection tests and sample kits
Friday, 07 October 2022
Many more doctors and practices are recognising the benefit in being able to offer self-collection kits to their patients. Blood, stool, urine, swabs, in various combinations, enable patients’ samples to be collected safely at home and to be sent to the laboratory for testing.
Change of service for Histopathology
Friday, 07 October 2022
is now providing its own histopathology services. This important change will allow the service to be brought into ’s own laboratory group and will ensure reporting times are managed differently.
Introducing the new Request form for Down’s Risk Screening (DRP)
Saturday, 10 September 2022
All samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) are now referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The Request Form for this service has now been updated.
Screening for Monkeypox by PCR (MPXV)
Saturday, 10 September 2022
A definite diagnosis of monkeypox requires specialist testing in the laboratory. This is now being undertaken by .
Neisseria gonorrhoea cultures – update regarding national supply concerns
Friday, 22 July 2022
The laboratory has now received a limited supply of alternative media.
Neisseria gonorrhoea cultures – national supply concerns
Friday, 15 July 2022
We have been informed by the supplier of our microbiology media of an immediate discontinuation of their product used for antibiotic sensitivity testing on N. Gonorrhoea isolates.
UKCA marked self-collection sample kits
Friday, 15 July 2022
We have started introducing new UKCA test kits with all versions available to practices, or patients, with future kit orders.
Transition to UKCA-marked sample collection kits
Friday, 01 July 2022
As part of the transition to the supply of UKCA pathology self-collection kits, all kits will now be supplied with both an Expiry date and Lot/Batch number.
COVID-19 Testing
Friday, 17 June 2022
The COVID laboratory continues to offer testing services for COVID-19 PCR (NCOV) and COVID-19 Antibodies (SCOV) with 24 hour turnaround times from the time of sample receipt.
Hepatitis C Antigen (HCAG)
Friday, 17 June 2022
The manufacture and availability of Hep C Core Antigen reagents has been restored.
Down’s Risk Screening (DRP)
Monday, 23 May 2022
The antenatal screening service carried out by the Wolfson Institute is being discontinued in June 2022 and all samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) will be referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital from 23rd May 2022.
Multiplex (HIV / Hep B / Hep C PCR Early) Detection Screening
Monday, 23 May 2022
test code STDX is now being processed as an in-house assay. There is no change to methodology (NAAT) or sample requirement. TAT remains unchanged.
Esoteric referred tests
Monday, 23 May 2022
Following a review of the contracts with referral laboratories, we have identified two laboratories that whilst being ‘GDPR Compliant’, do not follow the typical data model.
Allergy testing: The ALEX2 test
Monday, 23 May 2022
Following a review of the contracts with referral laboratories, we have identified two laboratories that whilst being ‘GDPR Compliant’, do not follow the typical data model.
Microbiology: Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis
Monday, 23 May 2022
Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis has been replaced by more sensitive and specific targeted PCR testing.
Down’s Risk Profile: Interpretation of Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13
Monday, 17 January 2022
has been notified of a change in the reporting process for Down’s Risk Profile (DRP), effective 17th January 2022.
COVID-19 Travel Testing with
Tuesday, 05 October 2021
The Regulations for Travel Testing are complex and continue to change. The DHSC updated the private sector provider minimum standards for travel testing on 4 October 2021.
COVID-19 spike antibody test: Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2-S
Wednesday, 27 January 2021
Introducing a new test for the quantitative determination of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein – Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S.
Rapid testing for leukaemia
Thursday, 07 January 2021
Our Haem-Oncology team is introducing rapid genetic testing to help with the treatment management of leukaemia patients.
Tinies™ and Self-collection samples
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
An increased range of tests using remote testing/self-taken small volume blood samples (home collection) and postal pathology has been developed using TINIES.
Lactose intolerance and genetic testing (LCT Gene)
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Genetics offers a genetic test to assist in the diagnosis of primary lactose intolerance in both children and adults.
Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT)
Monday, 06 April 2020
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK but too often colorectal cancer is detected at
a late stage making it the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK