Blood Sciences

​Clinical Biochemistry with Immunology

Our accreditation is limited to those activities described on our UKAS schedule of accreditation found here

The Clinical Biochemistry department provides a comprehensive diagnostic service which includes general screening for renal, liver, bone, cardiac and other disease groups through the use of highly automated analytical platforms. General chemistry services are provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

The immunology department provides a comprehensive diagnostic service which includes diagnosis of all types of allergy disorders and a range of autoimmune diseases.

Clinical biochemistry with immunology is “a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No.8082”. For a list of currently accredited tests please refer to the schedule of accreditation as published on the UKAS Medical laboratory website.

The laboratory employs a wide range of analytical techniques including immunoassay, spectrophotometry, capillary zone electrophoresis, immunofixation, immunotyping, immunoturbidimetry, and iontophoresis/conductivity and osmometry.  There are several sections within the laboratory, which include:

• Automated biochemistry  –  renal, liver, bone, cardiac, lipid, endocrine, anaemia, oncology, sepsis,   and other metabolic tests
• Automated drugs– therapeutic  drug monitoring and antibiotics testing
• Automated immunology – allergy, autoimmune testing and coeliac screening
• Manual immunology  autoimmune testing
• Manual section – xanthochromia, osmolality and sweat testing  
• Protein section  capillary zone electrophoresis, immunofixation/immunotyping,  serum-free light chains analysis and  cryoglobulinaemia and cryofibrinogenaemia testing

The department comprises consultants, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists, associate practitioners, and medical laboratory assistants who are all involved in providing a high-quality, fast and cost-effective service.

The consultant haematologists deal with general haematology and oncology referrals.  Referrals may be made by letter, fax, email or, if urgent, by telephone via the consultant’s secretary.

Haematology and Blood Transfusion are “a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8082" For the most up to date currently accredited tests please refer to the schedule of accreditation as published on the UKAS Medical laboratory website.

The haematology department provides a comprehensive clinical advisory and analytical service:

• routine haematology includes full blood counts, ESR’s, glandular fever screening, warfarin monitoring, coagulation screening and D-dimer for exclusion of VTE
• specialist haematology includes blood cell morphology, haemoglobinopathies, cell markers, malaria parasite identification
• emergency investigations, are rapidly available by prior arrangement on a 24-hour basis

A full list of the investigations provided by the department can be found in the Pathology User handbook.

Further investigations are undertaken following abnormal results and screening for atypical diseases.

We participate in National External Quality Assurance Schemes encompassing the analytical work of the department where available.

The Hampshire Hospitals blood transfusion department provides a comprehensive service to the Trust and other purchasers including GPs. There are two transfusion laboratories and they operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year issuing blood products on completion of appropriate pre-transfusion testing. Transfusion services are provided to all sites at HHFT in addition to a number of private hospitals.

Red cells, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate are stocked routinely in the laboratory whilst platelets are ordered for named patients only as they have a shorter shelf life.

Approximately 13,400 units of blood products are administered each year within the Trust. Both Winchester and Basingstoke sites have the main blood fridge situated within Pathology and a smaller designated fridge in maternity for the storage of a single emergency blood unit. 

The Transfusion Team consists of the Transfusion Operational Manager, Clinical Lead for Transfusion, Transfusion Senior Biomedical Scientists and Transfusion Practitioners. 

The purpose of the Transfusion Team is to ensure a high level of patient safety and adherence to the Blood Safety Quality Regulations (BSQR) and The British Society for Haematology (BSH) recommendations through active promotion and implementation of good transfusion practice. The team will conduct audits, and investigate transfusion related clinical incidents, ensuring these are reported externally as appropriate.

Feedback and information is then provided to the Hospital Transfusion Committee (HTC), who are responsible for ensuring the Transfusion Policy is reviewed and updated to reflect national guidelines. The committee meets quarterly to discuss transfusion related issues and incidents.