Laboratory Medicine

Our laboratories aim to provide a high quality, up to date, reliable and comprehensive paediatric service, including a consultant advisory service for both children in the hospital and those cared for by General Practitioners. We also provide advice and support regarding paediatric pathology to other hospital laboratories in the region.

The laboratory will support clinicians in requesting appropriate investigations and providing appropriate interpretation of results to ensure the highest quality of care and best use of resources.

All laboratory departments are accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) in accordance with the recognised International Standard ISO 15189:2012 Medical Laboratories-Requirements for quality and competence. The departments are also approved for training (at all levels) by the Institute of Biomedical Science. Histopathology are an approved paediatric training site for Specialist Registrars.

We are continually developing and improving the service for the investigation and diagnosis of disease, and are committed to the improvement in quality of service through audit. The laboratories are fully computerised using the Trust wide Meditech System.

How to contact us

• General enquiries including results: 0151 293 3591
• Histopathology general enquiries: 0151 293 3656
• GP electronic reports enquiries: 0151 282 4908

Clinical advice is available at all times. Contact details can be found via the drop down sections further down the page.

Key contacts

• Clinical Director: Dr Darren Powell, 0151 252 5271
• Pathology Manager: Mrs Christine Hill, 0151 293 3542
• Quality Manager: Mrs Pamela Ashton, 0151 239 3615
• IT Support Manager: Mrs Pamela Day, 0151 282 4908

All members of staff can be also be contacted by email using firstname.surname@alderhey.nhs.uk

How to find us

The laboratory departments are situated on the first floor of the Clinical Support building (opposite the Institute in the Park). External visitors to the laboratory should exit the atrium via the rotating doors adjacent to WHSmith. There is an intercom button that connects to specimen reception next to the double doors to the right. Please note that phlebotomy is carried out in the Outpatients department, not at the laboratory.

Opening Hours

The laboratory provides a 24/7 service as follows;

Haematology / Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry:

The haematology, blood transfusion and biochemistry laboratory service is provided on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outside of normal working hours a restricted range of tests are available. Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.30 pm (with the exception of public holidays). Outside normal working hours (All day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, and all night duties – 17:30 – 09:00hrs):    

Microbiology:

The microbiology laboratory service is provided 24/7 via a combination of onsite and on call. The laboratory is staffed between the hours of 09.00 and 23.00 outside of these hours an on call service is in operation via switchboard.

Histology:

The histology laboratory operates a 9am-5.30pm service and the mortuary 8.30am to 5.00pm

Consultant advice:

Consultant advice is available via switchboard.

Specimen requirements

Please refer to the relevant dropdown sections for specimen requirements for each test.

Our services

Health and Safety

Model Health and Safety rules are available for laboratory staff, visitors, cleaning staff, office staff, phlebotomists, service engineers and laboratory porters and messengers to ensure the Health and Safety of all personnel working within the laboratory or dealing with laboratory samples.

In the event of a sample-related Health and Safety issue occurring outside the hospital e.g. spillage of sample, please contact the relevant department immediately for further information. Non NHS staff must not attempt to remove or clear up sample spillages.

Transport of samples

Category A infectious substances

Please note that Category A infectious substances are assigned to UN 2814 regulations and must be packaged in accordance with UN Packaging Instructions PI620 (road/ rail) or PI602 (air). Further information is available via the Health and Safety Executive website.

Routine diagnostic specimens (Category B)

For all other routine diagnostic samples, specimen containers should be sealed, covered with absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb the contents of the container(s), and placed inside a plastic specimen bag which in turn is placed inside rigid, opaque packaging in line with UN3373 regulations.

When multiple sample containers are placed in single secondary packaging, they should either be individually wrapped in absorbent material or separated to prevent contact between them. Sample packages should be labelled with the above UN3373 symbol. The package should also be labelled with the words “Diagnostic Specimen” and the name and address of the referring laboratory.

Where specimens are transported frozen on dry ice, dry ice must be placed outside the plastic specimen bag and packages clearly identified with a dry ice identification symbol:

If samples are transported in wet ice, the ice must be placed outside the plastic specimen bag and the packaging must be leak-proof.

Please also enclose a completed request form including:

• Full name of patient
• Date of birth
• Name and location of requesting clinician
• Tests requested
• Clinical details including details of any medication

Quality Policy

• View or download the Alder Hey Laboratory Quality Policy

Authorised by Dr Darren Powell, Clinical Director for Pathology. Review date November 2020, Version 1.8