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Pathology

Pathology

Pathology

Pathology is the study of disease, its causes and progression. More than 70% of diagnoses in the NHS involve pathology, making it a central part of healthcare.

Our pathologists look for abnormalities within samples, however these tests are usually performed to confirm everything is functioning well.

Preventative screening tests can also help with the early detection of potentially serious conditions.

Pathology main specialities

The blood sciences department
The blood sciences department analyse blood samples and chemicals in the blood that can provide vital information about the body and organ functions.

Cellular pathology 
Cellular pathology studies tissue samples taken from patients, either during an operation, in outpatient clinics or post-mortem examinations.

Examination of the sample provides a diagnosis of a wide variety of diseases and abnormalities, such as inflammatory disorders, benign growths and cancers.

Microbiology and virology  department
The microbiology and virology department analyses a wide variety of tissue samples and body fluids to diagnose and manage diseases caused by micro-organisms, i.e. bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and parasites.

Pathology specimen reception

Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Zone B, location B23 (next to the pharmacy window)

Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 8am – 7pm

Contact telephone number
01279 827030

Blood sciences department

The blood sciences department analyse blood samples and chemicals in the blood that can provide vital information about the body and organ functions.

Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Zone B, location B23 (next to the pharmacy window)

Opening hours
Monday – Friday,  8am - 7pm

Haematology

Haematology involves the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have disorders of the blood.

Visiting information
Visitors by appointment only

Contact telephone number 01279 973214

Service manager:
Eva Nkansah, haematology lead BMS

Chemical pathology

Chemical pathology provides a wide range of investigations for the diagnosis of disease, monitoring the progress of disease and screening for disease.

Visiting information
Visitors by appointment only

Contact telephone number
01279 444455 x 2543

Service manager
Ade Adewuyi, biochemistry laboratory manager

Blood transfusion

Provision of blood, blood products and antenatal red cell antibody monitoring.

Visiting information
Visitors by appointment only

Contact telephone number
01279 962266

Service manager
Luke Groves, transfusion laboratory manager

Anticoagulation monitoring service

Monitoring of anticoagulation therapies such as Warfarin and Clexane

Contact telephone number                         
01279 827031 or 01279 827599

Service manager
Claire Gibson, anticoagulation lead

Phlebotomy (blood tests)

Phlebotomy is the process of making a puncture in a vein usually in the arm, with a cannula, for the purpose of drawing blood.

Take a look at the blood test patient information leaflet.

Opening hours
7am – 4:30pm Outpatients (appointments system)

Contact telephone number                         
01279 827030

Service manager 
Yvonne Haddow, specimen reception manager

Cellular pathology 

Cellular pathology combines the disciplines of Histology and Cytology. Our services include:

  • processing and reporting: surgical specimens, non-gynaecological cytology specimens;
  • post-mortem reporting; 
  • immunocytochemistry;
  • molecular biology;
  • frozen sections;

Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
The Michael Letcher Building 15

Visiting information
visitors by appointment only

Contact telephone number
01279 827096 (cellular pathology manager)

Service manager
Lisa Greenhalgh, cellular pathology manager

Microbiology / virology

The microbiology and virology service diagnoses and manages diseases caused by micro-organisms, i.e. bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and parasites and prevention of the spread of infection in hospitals and the community

Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Zone B, ground floor, location B23 (next to Pharmacy window)

Visiting information
Visitors by appointment only

Contact telephone number
01279 827138

Service manager
Debbie Orriss / Ricardo Davis, microbiology laboratory manager(s)

Pathology handbook 

Pathology handbook - November 2022 

Inpatient comment:

Everyone offered words of such reassurance and kindness. I felt so cared for and the communication with me at all times was fantastic.