Clinical Biochemistry (GP information)

Clinical Biochemistry, located in the Pathology block of the hospital, offers a high-quality analytical and clinical advice service to clinicians based at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital and surrounding area. Rapid analysis of a wide range of biochemistry tests is available on site and numerous esoteric tests are referred to tertiary centre laboratories.

Staff are able to advise on appropriate requests and specimen requirements for more unusual tests and the Consultants in Chemical Pathologist and Clinical Biochemistry offer results interpretation, clinical liaison and advice on how to further manage the patient. Consultant advice can be obtained on a 24/7 basis. The department also houses and leads on the immunology and POCT services.

The clinical staff in clinical biochemistry can provide advice and guidance on all areas of clinical biochemistry, but also have additional sub-specialist expertise as below:

Dr Danielle Freedman, Consultant Chemical Pathologist – Endocrinology, lipid and metabolic disease

Dr David Housley, Consultant Clinical Biochemist – Paediatrics, electrolyte, acid-base, critical care

Dr Helen Holt, Principal Clinical Biochemist – Nutrition, gastroenterology, quality

Rebecca Powney, Principal Clinical Biochemist – Paediatrics, critical care, diabetes

The laboratory has full CPA accreditation and is approved by the Health Professions Council and the National School of Healthcare Science as a centre for training. Our Point of Care Testing team (POCT) is experienced in maintenance and support of POCT equipment on wards and outside the hospital and can assist in keeping patients safe by ensuring best practice is observed when testing near to the patient. We offer training and external quality assurance schemes for blood glucose and pregnancy tests performed in primary care. A comprehensive courier service to outlying clinics and surgeries ensure the rapid transport of pathological specimens to the main laboratory.

L&D Adopts New Blood Collection System from 1^st April 2019

The L&D Pathology Service has adopted a new blood collection system to bring it in line with other pathology departments around the network.  A  The Vacuette Blood Collection System from Greiner Bio-One UK Ltd has been chosen.  This new system can collect blood samples simply and safely while the new tubes enable a more consistent ‘draw’ of blood to ensure the right volume is taken.  The cap colours in the new system are standardised to meet recent guidelines (see selection chart pdf below) and all fill volumes have a clear level indicator on the labels.  The ICE system will be updated to reflect the collection bottles to use.

Please click the relevant links below to download helpful data sheets, new system demonstration videos related to the new tubes and syringes and the new consumables order form:

• VACUETTE® Recommended Order of Draw Selection Chart 
• VACUETTE® 3.5ml Coagulation tubes- Usage Instructions
• Pathology Supplies order form
• Flyer for GPs
• Vacuette Safety Blood Collection Sets: youtube.com/watch?v=OlJ0nZs32a0
• Vacuette Quickshield Safety Tube Holder: youtube.com/watch?v=ENfmNbrF7hQ

Points to Note:

1. The new system will come into effect on 1^st April 2019 for all existing users of L&D pathology services.
2. There will be an initial 2 weeks supplyof the new blood bottles to be sent to each GP surgery from 18^th March 2019.
3. Current versions of collection needles in use are not compatiblewith the new system.
4. We have arranged for your current provider (Primary Care Support Services) to order and supply the collection needles that are compatible with the new system.  Please contact them to order the new collection needles required, but for information the new products will be:
5. Orders for the new blood bottles can be gained by downloading a new Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Pathology Supplies Order Form here. Pathology cannot receive consumables orders by Fax or Telephone from the 1^st April 2019. All orders must be sent through using the consumables order form by email to: ldh-tr.pathologysupplies@nhs.net
6. If current stock levels are high, excess stock can be returned via the Pathology courier service to the L&D Pathology Department, prior to conversion.
7. After April 1^st, left over stocks of the old blood bottles and collection needles can be returned to the L&D Pathology Department for use and/or disposal, or they can be collected by Greiner after the start date.
8. Each surgery will be contacted in due course by Greiner to arrange on-site training between 18^th and 29^th . If there is a preferred date and time, please contact Helen Storer, via email: helen.storer@gbo.com