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Requests for Additional Examinations

Requests for additional examinations must be made as soon as possible, following the laboratory’s receipt of the specimen. These requests must be made by telephone to the reporting pathologist. Depending on the nature of the specimen, and the request made, be aware that it may not be possible to accommodate your request although every effort will be made to do so, if clinically relevant.

Clinical Advice and Interpretation

Clinical advice and interpretation is available via the multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs), and from the reporting pathologist. If this pathologist is not available, other pathologists from the same specialty will provide this service.

Send Away Tests

Some tests requested may not be carried out in our Cellular Pathology laboratory depending on the availability of the test or the testing method. In these cases, samples will be sent to another NHS or accredited laboratory that offers the test. These are called Send Away Tests and laboratories where we send such tests are called Referral Laboratories.

Sending samples to another laboratory will mean it takes longer for the results to be available. All referral laboratories we use are selected following strict criteria for quality and safety standards. If you have any questions about, send away tests please contact the laboratory for further information on: [email protected].

Research Use Only (RUO) Reagents

Where necessary, Cellular Pathology investigations may utilise research use only reagents. These reagents are not CE/UKCA marked for in vitro diagnostic use and are primarily intended for research purposes. Where RUO reagents are introduced into the diagnostic service, their use is subject to a formal validation and verification process in accordance with ISO 15189: 2022 standards and local governance procedures.

This includes appropriate risk assessment, performance evaluation, and documentation to demonstrate that the method is fit for its intended clinical purpose. All results generated using RUO reagents are subject to appropriate review, interpretation, and authorisation prior to release. The laboratory maintains full traceability and participates in internal quality control and, where available, external quality assurance processes.

If you require further information, please contact the laboratory on: [email protected].