The department is situated on level one of Airedale General Hospital, at the east end of the main hospital corridor – zone C46. It consists of four main areas;

• Clinical chemistry
• Haematology and blood transfusion
• Histopathology
• Microbiology

All four departments are either working towards or have achieved UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012 standards. For a current list of our accredited tests, see the UKAS web-site under ‘Integrated Pathology Solutions’.

Additionally within Airedale Pathology there are a number of support services which include specimen reception, phlebotomy services, mortuary services, laboratory supply line and our own dedicated IT team.

Airedale pathology is a pioneer within the region in the use of order communications to allow for electronic requesting of pathology tests. It also provides paperless reports via its use of the ICE results server and seamless integration into SystmOne for GP surgery access.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found on this site. If you require more information about accessing our services, including sending your pathology to IPS, please contact the following members of the team:

Managing Director of Integrated Pathology Solutions: afruj.ruf@nhs.net

(Tel 01535 293476)

Pathology Quality Manager: email:  jayne.buckley4@nhs.net (Tel 01535 293447)

The Haematology department comprises of routine haematology, coagulation and blood transfusion. The laboratory is in compliance with MHRA and holds training laboratory status with the Institute of Biomedical Sciences.

The department is under the clinical direction of Dr Emma Nga, consultant haematologist and is managed by experienced biomedical scientists. A continuous shift system operates and is therefore available 24 hours per day every day. Outside of routine hours there is a reduced service of only the more common and clinically urgent tests. However we do our best to accommodate any specific request provided there is a sound clinical reason for the urgency. Consultant advice to support the service is available at all times.

The department works closely with other hospital and community based services to provide a screening programme for the diagnosis of sickle cell and other haemaglobinopathies.

The blood transfusion department employs electronic release as the method of issuing blood components for patients under certain qualifying conditions. The majority of units issued are by this method of provision. However, blood components are also released in the traditional manner for patients that do not qualify for electronic release, such as those with identified antibodies. The blood transfusion department discourages the routine transfusion of blood outside of normal hours and has the support of a transfusion nurse specialist who is available for advice during normal working hours. Outside of these times biomedical staff within the department are available to offer advice.

The department of histopathology provides a comprehensive, consultative diagnostic histopathology and non-gynaecological cytology service.

It is fully accredited by UKAS to ISO15189:2012 standards – see the UKAS website (reference 9033) for a full list of accredited tests). A routine histopathology reporting service is provided for surgical resections, small biopsies (including skin), endoscopic and needle biopsies and curetting. The department also provides frozen sections and non-gynaecological cytology. The majority of routine samples are reported within 72 hours of receipt of request.

The diagnostic reporting service is supported by approropriate use of specimen photography, and techniques such as immunohistochemistry and biological markers. The department is a major contributor to the Trust’s cancer multidisciplinary team meetings, where all cancer cases are discussed. An out-of-hours advisory service is available from the consultant histopathologists ensuring that clinical advice is always available.

The mortuary staff work closely with the Trust’s bereavement officer to assist families and funeral directors. The mortuary staff and bereavement officer are available to offer advice as appropriate. The department works closely with the HM Coroner for the Western district of North Yorkshire.

The microbiology department at Airedale General Hospital offers a routine clinical microbiology service for investigation of infectious disease.

Diagnostic tests including general bacteriology, culture and sensitivity, MRSA screening, cultures for acid fast bacilli (AFB), mycology, andrology screen for infertility, chlamydia and gonorrhoea screening using molecular techniques and parasitology. The service is under the clinical direction of of Dr. Marco Lee, consultant microbiologist.

Screening samples for the identification of MRSA and clostridium difficile toxin detection are investigated for both community and hospital patients. We determine which antibiotics are the most useful to treat a particular infection. We also provide a screening service for specimens from contraceptive and sexual health (CASH). We work closely with our hospital and community infection control teams to help prevent the spread of infection.

The infection prevention team (IPT) comprises of Dr. Marco Lee, consultant microbiologist,  Jill Asbury, the Trust’s Director for Nursing and Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Allison Charlesworth, matron infection prevention and the infection prevention nurses.

The infection prevention nurses are the first point of contact in the hospital for enquiries regarding infection prevention and control. There is also an out-of-hours service and the on call nurse can be contacted via Airedale switchboard.

Laboratory supply line

The pathology department internally administers and distributes all the consumables required for using our service. Requests from GP surgeries are processed the same day as receipt and consumables are supplied the following weekday via the transport system. To request pathology consumables please fax a completed form to 01535 293431 or send via the transport van.

Pathology-Consumables-Request-Form2

IT

Pathology IT provides a comprehensive service to all our users of pathology services. As this is a support service managed within pathology, IT issues are quickly and effectively addressed and new developments can be rapidly arranged. This is also the case for providing access to services such as electronic pathology results. Pathology IT also provides full training and support for all services provided to GP surgeries and training can be arranged and tailored according to individual requirements. For any enquiries relating to training and provision of statistical/activity reports please call 01535 293466. Alternatively, please e-mail ips.pathologyit@nhs.net or for maintenance of ICE users, please contact the IT Helpdesk on 01535 294834 or anhsft.itservicedesk@nhs.net

HelpDesk, Secretariat and Central Separation

Pathology is also supported by a team of HelpDesk, Secretarial and Central Separation staff who fulfil vital support functions to enable the service to run smoothly and efficiently.