Core Department hours 0830 to 1700 Monday to Friday
The department does NOT operate an On-call or Out-of-hours service
The Pathologists welcome personal visits to discuss cases or problems. Results of completed cases can be accessed from ward computer terminals. Telephone requests for reports should only be made in genuine emergencies
Clinical advice is available from each laboratory by contacting the telephone numbers below
Please note – Digital Pathology is currently not accredited to ISO15189 and is awaiting an extension to scope. For full details please see the Quality pages
General Enquires
Taunton – Histopathology & Non-Gynae Reporting (Consultant) 01823 34(2267)
Yeovil – Histopathology 01935 38(4528)
Urgent Histology
With the exception of the specimen types listed below all specimens may be placed in 10% Buffered Formalin which will retain the integrity of the tissue. Please send to the laboratory by your normal courier mechanism. Certain specimens may be fast processed the next working day but this will depend on the size and nature of the specimen.
Routine Requests
Requests MUST contain at least 3 identifiers (unique patient number e.g. NHS No, Forename & Surname) – If a unique patient number is not available then the patients DOB and 1st line of address is also required. Ideally all sections of the request form should be completed. Clinical details including relevant previous biopsies are essential. Requests for urgent reports should be clearly marked and a bleep/contact number provided or discussed with a consultant pathologist. The Laboratory MUST be warned in advance when an urgent report is required.
Please see SPS sample acceptance policy for full details
Specimen Collection, Handling and Transport (except for frozen sections/fresh tissue)
The routine fixative employed within the laboratories is 10% Buffered Formalin (4% w/v formaldehyde). The trust supplies 60 ml specimen containers suitable for small specimens. As an ideal, the volume of fixative should be at least 10 times that of the specimen. (To Order formalin and empty pots – For Trust use phone 4772, For GP use phone 01823 346734)
The geography of each hospital site dictates that theatre specimens are handled in a different manner, particularly large resection specimens. Contact the individual laboratories for site specific protocols.
Note: 10% Buffered Formalin is a harmful reagent and classed as an irritant. All staff who handle or transport specimens in formalin must be made aware of the hazardous nature. In the event of a spill, notify a senior member of staff, wear protective clothing, mop up with water soaked swabs and dispose of into yellow bag waste. Respiratory protection may be necessary if a large spill. Ensure that lids are secured, both screw top and press on lids. See COSHH data sheet under ‘Formal Saline’
Referred Specimens for Second Opinion
See list of referral locations
Accreditation
Use this link to show the list of Histology accredited tests
Please note:
Thyroglobulin Immunohistochemistry and Digital Histopathology Reporting are currently not accredited (Digital Histopathology is currently awaiting a UKAS extension to scope)
Unacceptable Specimens
Unlabelled specimens will not be processed. The appropriate clinician will be contacted and asked to visit the laboratory and identify the specimen and if appropriate, label the specimen.
GP samples will be returned to the surgery for identification and labelling.
Request forms may be returned if the information required is incomplete