North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service
We are pleased to announce the official establishment of the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service (NMCPS).
Following the NHS Improvement (NHSI) Initiative to establish 29 Pathology networks, Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (MCHFT) and East Cheshire Trust (ECT), have been working with the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UNHM) to form a Pathology Network. On the 1 December 2020, the network was formally establish as the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service (NMCPS).
On 1 April 2021, UHNM became the legal entity responsible for the provision of Pathology Services with MCHFT and to ECT and any other organisations for which they have an agreement for the delivery of Pathology Services. The Pathology Department is now part of the Children, Women's and Diagnostics Division of UHNM.
The Pathology Laboratory reception area, located on the first floor at Leighton Hospital, is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
The Pathology helpdesk telephone number 01270 612345 is manned during these times and an answerphone is also available to leave messages.
The Phlebotomy department (for blood tests) is located in the Main Outpatient Hall at Leighton Hospital and is signposted with Pathology (Blood Tests) signs.
To read more about our Phlebotomy department, please click here.
A blood collecting room staffed by Phlebotomists is open during the following hours:
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Further information on the services provided at Leighton Hospital and Victoria Infirmary are available in the Pathology Handbook (see below).
The Mortuary is located on the ground floor of the hospital. Enter the hospital through the main entrance, turn right to the crossroads and then left. The mortuary is on the left hand side half way down the corridor. The Mortuary is open 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Our services offer a comprehensive range of pathology investigations plus a full clinical service in all pathology disciplines.
The department provides both an emergency and non-urgent diagnostic service for inpatients and outpatients as well as a service to patients under the care of General Practitioners in the region. Tests we are unable to perform on site are referred to laboratories who uphold equivalent quality standards.
Our services include:
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Biochemistry
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Cellular Pathology
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Haematology including Blood Transfusion and Anticoagulation Services
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Microbiology
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Mortuary
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Phlebotomy
The Laboratory is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday for all routine Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Biochemistry and Microbiology services. A reduced service is available from 9.00am to 12.00 noon on Saturday morning and Bank Holidays. Contact for the Biochemistry and Haematology laboratory on Saturday morning is via bleep only. Outside of these hours Haematology, Blood transfusion and Biochemistry departments are staffed 24 hours per day and Microbiology has an emergency on call service. Haematology, Blood transfusion and Biochemistry can be contacted via the bleep system; Microbiology staff may be contacted via switchboard.
Pathology has in place a quality management system which endeavours to ensure that all processes within the department are handled in such a way as to promote quality and reduce risk. All of our laboratories are committed to providing a safe, reliable and high quality service to our users. The department participates in a wide range of internal and external quality assurance programmes, including national schemes.
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MCHFT Pathology Handbook (PDF document, opens in new window)
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Pathology Specimen Acceptance Policy (PDF document, opens in new window)
Contacts
Sharon Acton, Pathology Service Manager
Tel: 01782 674250
Email: sharon.
Daniel Gey van Pittius, Clinical Director
Email: daniel.
Sarah Robinson, Deputy Clinical Director
Email: sarah.
Opening times and further contact telephone numbers are available in the Pathology Handbook (see link above). The handbook also includes information for users on the laboratory's repertoire including specimens required, sample volumes, special precautions, turnaround times and reference ranges.
