Our pathology department has excellence at its core in service provision across the range of sub specialisms – cellular pathology, microbiology and molecular biology, immunology, clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion.
With more than 300 staff, and led by a high performing team of specialist consultants, clinical scientists, and managers, our philosophy is to achieve excellence through innovation, in all of our services which include cellular pathology, microbiology and molecular biology, immunology, clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion.
We host the regional and reference laboratories for immunology and virology, providing a wide range of UKAS accredited tests. We also have a large cellular pathology department serving the regional cancer centre which is based at Royal Preston Hospital.
We have always been early adopters of new technology including molecular technology, and we are a local delivery partner for the 100,000 genome project in Lancashire and South Cumbria. We have also invested in electron microscopy to support our regional renal service, and have plans to expand further.
Central Lancashire Pathology Services (CLPS) is a federated service consisting of 5 departments located on the Royal Preston Hospital site with satellite Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Clinical Biochemistry services at Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital. They are part of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The laboratories provide a range of analytical and advisory services for the Trust, both inpatients and outpatients, General Practitioners along with diagnostic services to a range of other health care providers. To ensure the highest standard of work we participate in internal
Departments
Each department provides a full range of services including specialist medical and scientific advice and further details can be found on this website.
Clinical Biochemistry UKAS Ref 8549
The service is a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8549.
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
Haematology/ Blood Transfusion UKAS Ref 8548
The service is a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8548.
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
Immunology UKAS Ref 8547
The service is a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8547.
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
Microbiology UKAS Ref 8545
The service is a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8545.
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
Cellular Pathology UKAS Ref 8544
The service is a UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8544.
Click here to view our schedule of accreditation.
Take junction 32 of the M6.
Turn left off the slip-road onto Garstang Road (A6), heading towards Preston.
At the second major set of traffic lights turn left into Sharoe Green Lane.
The main entrance to Royal Preston Hospital is 200 yards on the right.
Sat Nav PR2 9HT
The closest visitors car park is car park A (on your right just inside the entrance, charge made on exit).
From the car park make your way to the entrance of the four storey building (Gordon Hesling Block).
Once inside the foyer go down the corridor to your left.
The Pathology entrance (double doors) is about 30 metres down on the left.
Report to the Reception desk situated inside almost facing you.
Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
Preston Road
Chorley
PR7 1PP
Take junction 8 of the M61.
Follow signs towards Chorley (A6) along short dual carriageway.
At the first roundabout, turn left, continuing to head towards Chorley (A6).
At the second roundabout, take second turning onto Euxton Lane (B5252).
The main hospital entrance is 200 yards on the left at the traffic lights.
Sat Nav PR7 1PP
Pathology is on level 3
Maps
You can find a map to Preston and Chorley Hospitals here
We deliver a large and complex histopathology service with a wide repertoire of procedures provided for a broad range of clients. We provide diagnostic histopathology, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, neuropathology and nongynae cytology services. Additionally, we provide specialist tertiary cellular pathology services for renal, plastics and neurosciences, gynaeoncology, head and neck, as well as network coverage of herceptin testing for neighbouring NHS trusts.
Our histopathology lab is fully accredited by UKAS/ISO15189 and also participates in the N.E.Q.A.S. schemes for cellular pathology, neuropathology, muscles, cytopathology, renal pathology and immunocytochemistry.
The Haematology Service diagnoses and treats both malignant (cancerous) and non-malignant blood disorders. The haematology team includes specialist consultants and clinical nurse specialists. Haematology outpatient clinics are held every week day.
The Haematology Service can be accessed via a referral from your GP.
With more than 300 staff, and led by a high performing team of specialist consultants, clinical scientists, and managers, our philosophy is to achieve excellence through innovation, in all our services which include cellular pathology, microbiology and molecular biology, immunology clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion.
We host the regional and reference laboratories for immunology and virology, providing a wide range of UKAS accredited tests, and our cellular pathology department provides an invaluable service to our regional cancer centre, based at Royal Preston Hospital.
We have always been early adopters of new technology including molecular technology, and we are a local delivery partner for the 100,000 genome project in Lancashire and South Cumbria. We have invested in electron microscopy to support our regional renal service, and have plans to expand further.
This is an exciting time for pathology services, and we have been developing a regional collaborative that will optimise opportunities for growth, innovation and research.
Our microbiology service
We deliver a large and complex microbiology service, with a wide repertoire of analytical procedures provided for a broad range of clients. In addition to clinical microbiology and infection control services to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and the GP community, virology services are provided to hospitals throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria, and specialist viral and bacterial serology tests on a regional and national basis.
We work in collaboration with colleagues throughout the hospitals and in the community, to drive innovation, streamline pathways and improve care for patients.
Our OPAT service has won national awards for innovation and this best practice is being adopted by other hospitals around the country.
We have recently established a new molecular pathology department has been created and the range of molecular tests offered increased to include additional virology, haematology and oncology tests.
Our microbiology lab is within our pathology department, and is accredited by UKAS.
We are delighted to receive support from the North West Blood Bikes charity. North West Blood Bikes provides a voluntary out of hours transport for urgent and emergency blood, blood derivatives, samples, donor breast milk for premature babies, doctors notes, and theatre equipment, in fact anything that can be carried by motorcycle, between hospitals.
North West Blood Bikes provides this support through the night, at weekends and bank holidays, enabling hospital funding to be better spent on patient care.
The blood bikers work on a voluntary basis but fundraise to contribute towards feet maintenance and fuel costs.
We are proud to be celebrating our five year relationship with North West Blood Bikes. We were the first trust to work with the North West Blood Bikes and the collaboration has gone from strength to strength.
North West Blood Bikes provide a voluntary out of hours transport for urgent and emergency blood, blood derivatives, samples, donor breast milk for premature babies, doctor’s notes, and theatre equipment - in fact anything that can be carried by motorcycle, between hospitals.
We were the first trust to start working with the group back in 2012 and the volunteer service has continued to grow and expand ever since. Karen Partington, Chief Executive, said: “We made the innovative decision to combine the voluntary sector into our health delivery team and it has been incredibly successful. We are now working with other areas of the UK to share details of the way we work as many other NHS trusts want to follow in our footsteps.”
Maria Burn, Pre Analytics Manager for Pathology, said: “Back in 2012 we came up with the innovative idea to use volunteers to transport emergency items, it was something that had never been done before and it has been an incredible success. We were the first NHS trust to use this service and now it has been extended all across the North West, and other areas of the UK are looking to launch a similar service. The kind volunteers who give up their time free of charge are an extremely valuable part of our team and they make a real difference to the lives of our patients. This scheme ensures that our hospitals receive the supplies they need quickly and reliably and it means we have been able to save in excess of £30,000 by not having to pay for emergency out of hours transport.”
Paul Brooks, founder, chairman and trustee of North West Blood Bikes for Lancashire and the Lakes, said: “Once other hospitals heard about what we were doing for both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley District Hospital, they contacted Maria to find out if what we said was true. We now cover 5 hospital trusts, covering 3,000 square miles, and it all started at Preston and Chorley. There is no doubt that what we do not only helps save costs but also, and more importantly helps save lives.”
We made the innovative decision to combine the voluntary sector into our health delivery team and it has been incredibly successful.
The Department of Clinical Biochemistry runs around 5,950,000 tests annually and runs a main hub laboratory at Royal Preston Hospital, alongside a spoke laboratory at Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital. Both laboratories are staffed 24/7, providing a high quality, innovative clinical biochemistry service.
A wide range of clinical services are supported by pathology and the regional specialist services of oncology, renal, neuromedicine, neurosurgery, plastics, vascular, specialist mobility and rehabilitation, and trauma are delivered from the Preston site. We also provide an extensive and innovative Point of Care Testing Service across both hospital sites and throughout many GP practices across the region, with training provided by our Point of Care Academy.
We offer a wide variety of specialist tests and are part of the NPEX network. See our full list of specialist tests here.
For a full list of our accredited tests, please visit the UKAS website by clicking the icon below.
8549
Accredited to
ISO 15189: 2012
Specialist tests
As part of our Clinical Biochemistry service, we offer a range of specialist tests that are available to order. These are:
5-Hydroxyindole Acetic Acid (5HIAA)
AFP
Aldosterone
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Beta Hydroxybutyrate
Bile acids
CA 125
CA 19-9
Caeruloplasmin
Calprotectin
CEA
Copper
Cyclosporin
Digoxin
Drugs of Abuse
Ethanol
Faecal Occult Blood
Growth Hormone
HbA1c
IGF
Lithium
Metadrenalines
Parathyroid Hormone
Phenobarbitone
Phenytoin
Plasma Renin Concentration
Tacrolymus
Theophylline
Vancomycin
Vitamin D
Zinc
If you would like more information on any of the above, please search for the relevant test on our A-Z list below:
Protect collection from light using a black bag. Various dietary substances interfere with the measurement of 5-HIAA. Bananas, pineapples and walnuts can cause 5-HIAA levels to increase as they contain high amounts of serotonin. Therefore, ingestion of these substances should be avoided on the day of sample collection. A patient information sheet is available upon request.
Special requirements
Send frozen aliquot of acidified 24hr urine collection, protected from light, together with a note of the total urine volume collected.
Turnaround time
2 weeks
Reference range
<50 μmol/24hr
Clinical application
Investigation of carcinoid tumours
Comments
Samples cannot be processed unless the total volume of urine collected is noted with the sample aliquot.
Separate serum and send via first class post. If there will be >48 hours before sending, store the specimen at -20°C. Samples can be sent to us at ambient temperature.
On arrival in Pathology reception
Separate on day of collection. Store at -20°C in rack.
Turnaround time
1 week
Reference range
20-29 years 13.1-53.8 pmol/l
30-34 years 6.8-47.8 pmol/l
35-39 years 5.6-37.4 pmol/l
40-44 years 0.7-21.1 pmol/l
45-50 years 0.3-14.7 pmol/l
Clinical application
In female infertility investigations, AMH correlates with ovarian reserve independently of LMP. High levels are associated with PCOS and granulosa cell tumours of the ovary.
In the treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), the target betahydroxybutyrate concentration is <0.3mmol/l. In hypoglycaemia, betahydroxybutyrate should be interpreted in the context of the clinical presentation & other test results.
Clinical application
Monitoring of patients with DKA and for paediatric hypoglycaemia screens.
< 50µg/g Calprotectin not suggestive of intestinal inflammation. Results should be interpreted in line with clinical assessment.
< 50µg/g Elevated calprotectin indicates intestinal inflammation, suggest further information for inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). Note, calprotectin may also be raised in colorectal neoplasia, GI infections, GI bleeding more than 100ml and NSAID use. Results should be interpreted in line with clinical assessment.
Clinical application
Investigation of inflammatory bowel disease
Comments
A definitive clinical diagnosis should not be based on the results of a single diagnostic method, but should only be made by the physician after all clinical and laboratory findings have been evaluated.
Gel tube (Sarstedt brown top) or plain tube for paediatric samples
Sample volume
3ml blood (1ml serum)
Special requirements (for sample collection)
None
Special requirements
Separate serum and send via first class post. Store separated serum at 2-4oC if not sending same day as collection.
Turnaround time
1 week
Reference range
13-24 μmol/l
Clinical application
Investigation of Wilson's disease and deficiency, or toxicity
Comments
Increases seen in pregnancy, oestrogen therapy, rheumatoid disease and other inflammatory conditions. Decreases seen in low serum protein states, also in valproate and steroid therapy. Measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.
< 4 days Analysis is performed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Reference range
60-250 μg/l
Clinical application
Theraputic drug monitoring and assessment of toxicity
Comments
Analysed by tandem mass spectronomy. The therapeutic range varies on the individual requirement and is dependent on the length of time since the transplant was performed.
Separate serum as soon as possible after collection and freeze at -20oC. Send samples frozen.
Sample volume
2ml (1ml serum)
Turnaround time
1 week
Reference range
N/A
Clinical application
Baseline GH levels cannot be used to exclude acromegaly, as elevated levels may be due to stress; normal levels are seen in up to 8% of patients subsequently failing to suppress during GTT.
Comments
Protocols for stimulatory or suppression testing available from the Clinical Biochemistry Department. Note that in isolation, a single GH test provides limited diagnostic information. Analysed by IDS iSYS human growth hormone immunoassay.
Pre-dose sample preferred or at least 1 hour post-dose
Special requirements
None
Turnaround time
Same day
Reference range
8-15mg/l
Clinical application
Therapeutic drug monitoring. Severe toxicity likely if level >40.0mg/l. Concern level 25mg/l.
Comments
Note that drug is usually protein bound; those patients with very low serum albumin levels may have high free phenytoin relative to total levels. μmol/L x 0.252 = mg/l.
Stop therapy with spironolactone 4 weeks and β-blockers 2 weeks prior to test. Ensure potassium is within reference range at time of assessment. Please list any other medications.
Sample must arrive in pathology reception within 15 minutes of collection.
SAMPLES MUST NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO THE LABORATORY ON ICE.
Special requirements
Centrifuge sample, aliquot and freeze plasma immediately on arrival. Send frozen plasma aliquot on dry ice.
Turnaround time
2 weeks
Reference range
Adults: upright = 5.3-9.9mlu/l
Clinical application
Investigation of Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism). Generally combined with assessment of aldosterone to give an aldosterone : renin concentration ratio.
Comments
Plasma renin concentration is measured using the IDS iSYS immunoassay.
We specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of immunodeficiency and allergy.
Our nursing staff provide care and support to the patients who require immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
We provide a wide range of routine and specialised services to hospitals and practitioners within Lancashire and South Cumbria, and to other hospitals within the North West. We support regional clinical specialist services including oncology, nephrology, paediatrics, rheumatology and neurology.
We undertake protein immunology (immunoglobulins, myeloma screening and typing, complement determination, acute phase proteins and other specific protein assays), allergy and autoimmunity testing, and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry.
To ensure the high quality of service, we participate in all relevant External Quality Assurance Schemes and make strenuous efforts to have vigorous internal quality control checks.
In order to ensure that the needs and requirements of users are met, we will:
Operate a quality management system to integrate the organisation, procedures, processes and resources.
Set quality objectives and plans in order to implement this quality policy.
Ensure that all personnel are familiar with this quality policy to ensure user satisfaction.
Commit to the health, safety and welfare of its entire staff. Visitors to the department will be treated with respect and due consideration will be given to their safety while on site.
Uphold professional values and is committed to good professional practice and conduct.
The department complies with ISO 15189:2012 standard.
Staff recruitment, training, development and retention at all levels to provide a full and effective service to its users.
The proper procurement and maintenance of such equipment and other resources are needed for the provision of the service.
The collection, transport and handling of all specimens in such a way as to ensure the correct performance of laboratory examinations.
Compliance with relevant environmental legislation.
The use of examination procedures that will ensure the highest achievable quality of all tests performed.
Reporting results of examinations in ways which are timely, confidential, accurate and clinically useful.
The assessment of user satisfaction, in addition to internal audit and external quality assessment, in order to produce continual quality improvement.
* Please refer to correct procedure for cryoglobulin sample handling
** Do not refrigerate. Specimens must be kept at room temperature
*** Please contact the Laboratory prior to sending sample
The above turnaround times reflect the expected time to carry out and report an immunology test. These times refer to negative/normal results. Specimens with positive/abnormal results are often referred for further tests, which may significantly add to the turnaround time, e.g. a positive Rheumatoid Screen test (tested daily) will be referred for a Rheumatoid RAPA test (tested weekly). Some tests have long processing times, which significantly affect the turnaround time. Urgently requested ANCA and anti-GBM antibody tests will be given priority.
GP specimens and reports
A daily van service is available for all GPs served by the laboratory for the collection of specimens and delivery of reports. For further information on this service, please contact Gillian Crankshaw, Associate General Manager on 01772 522068.
With more than 300 staff, and led by a high performing team of specialist consultants, clinical scientists, and managers, our philosophy is to achieve excellence through innovation, in all our services which include cellular pathology, microbiology and molecular biology, immunology clinical biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion.
We are proud to be celebrating our five year relationship with North West Blood Bikes. We were the first trust to work with the North West Blood Bikes and the collaboration has gone from strength to strength.
