Helpful information

Laboratory hours, urgent samples, how to use the service, and clinical advice.

Laboratory hours

The laboratory department is open between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Out of hours results available on 020 7307 7373.

Urgent samples

It is helpful if requests for urgent samples can be discussed prior to sending. Please telephone 020 7307 7373.

Use of service/Information required

Request forms must include 3 identifiers (this can be patient’s full name = 2, date of birth, hospital number or reference number) and need to accompany each sample.

Appropriate clinical information providing previous treatment/histological diagnosis is essential to ensure correct management recommendations can be given in the patient report. Tick boxes are provided to assist you.

The specimen container must be clearly labelled with patient details. Forms and samples which are mismatched will result in the sample being returned to the sender for correction and will delay the report turn around time.

Clinical advice

The Consultant Cytopathologists and the Advanced Practitioner work together to provide clinical and technical advice, including recommendations for follow-up, HPV testing and management of complex cases. TDL will provide recommendation for patient management, but not undertake to provide a direct referral. No result will be entered onto the NHS CSP database and will therefore not be part of an individual’s NHS screening record. Failsafe and management of the patient and their follow up, including referral for colposcopy where indicated, would need to be arranged by their referring clinician. To contact the department directly, please telephone 020 7307 7323.