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Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Pathology Laboratories

​Pathology Laboratories at the General Hospital

The Pathology department plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating medical conditions by examining: 

  • tissues 
  • cells â€‹
  • bodily fluids 

We use various techniques and tools to analyse samples and identify abnormalities that can indicate the presence of disease.   

Our location

The Pathology laboratories are located on the ground floor of Jersey General Hospital, in the corridor between the Outpatients Department and The Parade entrance. 

Our services

The services we provide include: 

  • Blood Sciences 
  • Infection Sciences 
  • Andrology 
  • Immunology 
  • Cellular Pathology 
  • Mortuary Services 
  • Pathology Reception 

Watch our Biomedical Science Day video to find out more about what we do. 

 

Blood Sciences

Blood Sciences consists of pre-analytical processing, clinical chemistry, haematology and blood transfusion. 70% of clinical decisions are made using blood test results, making the 24 hour service provided by Blood Sciences a critical part of the patient healthcare pathway. 

Blood Transfusion

Performs analysis on patient and donor pre transfusion blood specimens and issues compatible blood components and therapeutic treatments for patient transfusions.  

Clinical Biochemistry

Provides a comprehensive diagnostic service which includes generalised screening and treatment monitoring for renal, liver, bone, cardiac and other disease groups.

Haematology

Performs analysis on patient blood specimens for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases relating to blood and blood-forming tissues.  

person doing blood sciences tests

Getting your blood sciences results

See the relevant test and turnaround times to find out about your Blood Sciences laboratory tests and how long it will take to get the results:  

Blood transfusion tests and turnaround times

Clinical Biochemistry tests and turnaround times

Haematology tests and turnaround times 

Infection Sciences

Infection Sciences diagnose and manage diseases caused by microorganisms, such as: 

  • bacteria 
  • viruses 
  • fungi  
  • parasites

Common tests include: 

  • Urine culture for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) 
  • Wound swabs and other samples from infected sites 
  • MRSA screening 
  • Faeces for food poisoning 
  • Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)  
  • Serology tests to identity antibodies against viruses 

person doing tests lab

Getting your infection sciences results

See the relevant test and turnaround times to find out about your Infection Sciences laboratory tests and how long it will take to get the results:     

Microbiology tests and turnaround times

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring tests and turnaround times 

Virology tests and turnaround times

Find our range of UKAS accredited tests for Infection Sciences at Schedule of Accreditation: UKAS.

Certain factors can affect the quality of microbiology results including: 

  • how the specimen is stored, refrigerate the specimen if delivery is delayed 
  • the age of the specimen, specimens should get to the laboratory within 24 hours, specimens older than 24 hours are unlikely to be processed 
  • insufficient details can prevent the right tests being performed on a specimen â€‹

Andrology

Andrology focuses on male reproductive health including semen analysis.  

We provide: 

  • diagnostic semen analysis as part of routine infertility investigation 
  • post-vasectomy semen analysis to check the success of a vasectomy 

Your GP must refer you for an andrology investigation and will give you all the necessary information you need including sample container, andrology request form, patient information leaflet and next steps.  

Delivering a semen sample to the Pathology department

You, or your partner, must deliver your semen sample in the correct container, and your blue andrology request form to the Pathology department reception at the correct appointment time. We cannot test samples delivered outside of your allocated time. We recommend you keep your sample warm by placing it in a pocket or close to your body during transport to our reception. 

You must complete every applicable section of the blue andrology request form. We will ask you to sign and date the form when you arrive at reception. â€‹

We will also ask you or your partner to confirm that the details on the form are correct and that the sample is yours. 

You will or your partner: 

  • hand the sample and form directly to a member of reception staff 
  • wait for them to check the form 
  • sign the form before you leave 

​Your results will be sent to the GP who ordered the test within 2 weeks of receipt. 

Immunology

The Immunology service tests blood and serum samples to help diagnose diseases and disorders such as: 

  • autoimmune diseases 
  • immunodeficiencies 
  • immune-related issues. 
  • allergies to identify specific allergens that cause allergic reactions 

Getting your immunology results 

Find out about your immunology laboratory tests and how long it will take to get the results Immunology tests and turnaround times. 

Cellular Pathology

The Cellular Pathology service helps diagnose diseases and abnormalities we examine:  

  • organs 
  • tissues â€‹
  • fluids  

Cellular pathology encompasses histology, which is the study of tissues, and cytology which is the study of cells, to understand disease processes at the microscopic level. 

person doing tests lab

Getting your Cellular Pathology results 

Find out about your Cellular Pathology laboratory tests and how long it will take to get the results:  

Histology tests and turnaround times

Cytology tests and turnaround times

Find our range of UKAS accredited Cellular Pathology tests at Schedule of Accreditation: UKAS​.

Submitting​ a sample

We have strict criteria for accepting samples. Before you send a specimen to the Pathology department, check: 

  • the specimen label and request form are complete
  • the specimen is in the correct container, the label states the container or tube type required
  • the specimen container lid is secure 
  • the specimen is in the correct specimen bag for the specific laboratory  
  • samples for specific laboratories are in separate bags 
  • each bag contains samples from 1 patient only  

GPs must include a printed proforma for samples for Infection Sciences and Cellular pathology  

We will not accept samples for processing if they are: 

  • not labelled or incorrectly matched with the request form 
  • received in a hazardous condition such as leaking into the bag 
  • stored or transported incorrectly, for example, incubated not refrigerated 

If we reject a specimen because it is not deemed safe to process due to inadequate labelling, you must obtain another specimen for tests to be carried out. 

Specimen tracking  

Maintaining a detailed and traceable specimen tracking audit trail, is essential for quality assurance, clinical governance, and medico-legal reasons.  

There must be a traceable history and chain-of-custody to include: 

  • responsible clinician: identifying the clinician who ordered the test and their location 
  • tests required: listing the specific tests or examinations needed 
  • patient information: clearly identifying the patient  
  • specimen order and collection: recording who ordered the specimen, along with the date and time of collection 
  • specimen details: describing the specimen type and, if relevant, its anatomical origin 
  • result destination: specifying where the results should be sent if different from the ordering clinician 
  • reported result: documenting the results of the tests 

Consent  â€‹

Informed consent means you are given comprehensive information about a medical procedure or treatment, including its risks, benefits, and alternatives, so you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.  

Generally, a verbal agreement is sufficient, other times, such as when a biopsy is taken you may be asked to sign a consent form.  

Private pathology investigations

Jersey Private Patients offers a private patient service within Jersey General Hospital. You can use your private health insurance or choose to pay for your treatment.  

You will receive separate invoices for any samples taken. This includes samples taken through the private service, GPs or by public service phlebotomy staff.  If you are an insured patient, you are liable for any charges incurred as a private patient. You must pay any remaining amounts not covered by your insurer. â€‹

For Blood Sciences inquiries contact Dr Waseem Nagi, Consultant Haematologist and Lead Clinician for Blood Sciences. 

Call +44 (0) 1534 442757

For fees and invoices, call +44 (0) 1534 746112

Mortuary Services

The Mortuary is a secure and dignified environment for those who pass away. We provide body storage facilities for those who have died, prior to collection by funeral directors.  We also perform post-mortems when required.  

Consent in relation to samples taken during a post-mortem examination will be discussed with the next of kin at the appropriate time.  

We aim to provide a service, after death, that reflects the respect we have for every person in life. 

Contact the Mortuary department 

We understand this can be a difficult time; we can help with any questions or concerns you may have.  

Call the Mortuary department on +44 (0) 1534 442600 or 442599 from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4pm on Fridays. 

Protecting your personal information

The requesting clinicians are responsible for obtaining informed and explicit consent for the use and storage of your data.  

For consent to be informed and explicit, be aware that:  

  • we may refer specimens and personal data to off-Island laboratories for further investigations and second opinions 
  • there is an obligation for all off-Island laboratories to process this data in line with data protection legislation â€‹
  • we assume that the clinician has obtained consent when requesting pathology investigations 

For private pathology investigations, consultant pathologists act independently as well as being HCJ employees. The pathologists undertake to manage your data to the same strict standards. Additionally, they keep data for invoicing and credit control. They may pass the data to a third party to follow up any unpaid debt.  

We follow guidance for secure storage and retention of pathological records and specimens from the Royal college of Pathologists The Royal College of Pathologists 

For more detail about your information rights Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner 

We hold all information required to operate pathology services under: 

Learn about Health and Care Jersey privacy policy. What information they collect about you and how they use, store, and share it Health and Care privacy policy 

Give feedback on health services and care

We need your feedback to keep improving the services we offer. 

To give feedback on health services and care you can:

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