Biochemistry
This department is both extensively automated and computerised. The benefits are reliable assays, large throughput and fast return of results.
The majority of results are returned within one working day. Exceptions include some hormone assays which are batched before testing and those specialized requests sent to accredited regional laboratories. Should you be worried by a delay please ring EXT 2345.
The laboratory provides a wide range of assays locally but refers, to specialist accredited departments, those rare or expensive tests which are best dealt with in tertiary centres.
Good communication is the key to success and this means we need to know by telephone when special or urgent requests are likely to be asked for.
Please try to make a point of coming to the laboratory at some time to meet the staff.
Location
Within the main Pathology Department on level one.
Hours
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:30, Saturday 09:00 to 12:30 .
Outside of these hours, only a limited number of staff are rostered to perform a restricted range of critical tests. Pressure to perform routine testing at these times jeopardises the critical care service.
| Name | Qualifications | Title | Telephone |
| Mary Stapleton | BA (Mod) MSc FRCPath | Principal Clinical Biochemist | 2419 |
| Sarah Hayes | FIBMS | Blood Sciences Manager | 2329 |
| Louise Messinger | BSc MSc | Senior Biomedical Scientist | 2345 |
| Helen Melville | BSc FIBMS | Senior Biomedical Scientist | 2345 |
The department is staffed by State Registered Biomedical Scientists (BMSs) and Medical Laboratory Assistants with clinical input from the Principal Clinical Biochemist.
General information
| Main laboratory phone | 2345 prefix by 32 if dialling outside NDDH. | |
| On-Call: via the main hospital switchboard. | ||
| Bleep 031 is carried by the on-call staff at night/weekends. | ||
| Please call the laboratory for general information. For more specific information or clinical enquiries please phone senior staff as detailed above. Out of hours advice & clinical interpretation, initially contact the on-call staff for information. | ||
The department is totally dependent on the requesting practitioner for accurate information on the request form, without this, results may go astray.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPECIMEN ACCEPTANCE POLICY WHICH, IF NOT ADHERED, TO MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF THE SPECIMENS.
Please give as much information as you can (reference number – particularly the NHS Number, full name, date of birth, address etc) so that patients can be positively identified.
Abnormal Results – Telephone Trigger Limits
When patient samples have been tested and the results are abnormal or indicate a clinical decision is required for patient management the department uses the following reference document to determine when results should be telephoned back to the requesting practitioner or requesting location. Abnormal results – telephone trigger limits