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.

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.

Haematology

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

Chemical pathology

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

Blood transfusion

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

Anticoagulation monitoring service

Monitoring of anticoagulation therapies such as warfarin and Clexane.

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 patient information leaflet below:

Blood tests – Patient Information Leaflet (182kB pdf)

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

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.

Pathology handbook

Pathology_Handbook_updated_version (1MB docx)

Specimen packaging and transport guidance

RG-000-003_Specimen_packaging_and_transport_guidance_V2.06 (218kB doc)