Services Provided
The Microbiology Department provides a comprehensive service for Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Mycology, Serology and Molecular testing. Clinical advice is available from Medical Microbiologists. We link closely with Infection Prevention and Control services at the acute trusts, mental health trusts and in the community across the Black Country.
We are based within the Integrated Pathology Building at New Cross Hospital, providing an Infectious diseases diagnostic service for the hospitals, GPs and some other locations/ programmes/ services across the Black Country (including Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and West Birmingham).
The team currently consists of over 130 staff, with a range of clerical, laboratory support staff, scientific staff and medical staff.
With the department receiving over 1.3 million requests each year, laboratory efficiency relies substantially on user co-operation. User compliance, with a few rules concerning safety, specimen identification and transport, will greatly help the laboratory to deliver the service needed by Users.
This webpage outlines all the information required to use the service; however, please contact the laboratory if you encounter any issues. Please send any comments or suggestions about the User Handbook to the Microbiology Service Lead, the Microbiology Clinical Lead or Quality lead.
The department may refer some tests externally, information of these reference laboratories are available within the test directory.
Service Scope
The Microbiology department is a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited medical laboratory, number 8655.
Our accreditation is limited to those activities described on our UKAS Schedule of Accreditation found here:
Search UKAS accredited organisations
As a result of equipment changes there are a number of our activities that have been validated and passed verification but are not currently UKAS accredited.
Service Standards/Quality Assurance
The Microbiology department recognises its responsibility as a provider of quality services. To this end, the laboratory has developed and documented a quality management system to better satisfy the needs of its users and to improve the management of the organisation. The quality system complies with UKAS International Accreditation ISO standards 15189:2012 and is transitioning to ISO standards 15189:2022.
The laboratory aims to be a model of excellence in the delivery of a clinical Microbiology service. In order for this to be achieved, the laboratory is committed to the following:
- Service user involvement.
- Good professional practice & evidence-based practice.
- Efficient utilisation of resources.
- Valuing our staff in order to realize their full potential.
- Commitment to the health, safety and welfare of our patients, staff and visitors.
- Keeping a safe environment in compliance with current environmental legislation.
- Working as teams and partnerships.
- Continuous improvement.
