Newcastle Laboratories

Blood Sciences

Information for Patients, Hospital Doctors, GPs, Healthcare professionals and any other party who may wish to use the Newcastle Laboratories Blood Sciences Department

The Department of Blood Sciences offers the widest range of in-house tests in North East England – we perform over 10 million tests every year.

The service is provided from two laboratory sites: the Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Most specimens from GPs are investigated at the Freeman Hospital, but some low volume tests are transferred to the RVI.

Our two-site approach means that if one analyser were to fail, specimens can be transported across the city and investigated overnight.

Our service

The department is led by consultants and provided by scientific, technical, clerical and medical staff who undertake:

  • research
  •  undergraduate and post-graduate teaching
  •  clinical trials
  •  case conferences
  •  diagnostic services to primary and secondary care users.

We are also a regional centre for a broad range of specialised tests, underpinned by a clinical advisory and interpretation service.

Regional antenatal Downs screening and newborn screening services are also provided by the department, both of which have an excellent reputation locally and across the UK.

The department is made up of eight sections, all led by specialist consultant medical staff and experienced scientists. Specialist advice in all of these areas is always available when required.

Blood Sciences has a policy of telephoning clinically abnormal results which may impact on patient welfare and management, whenever they present regardless of the time and will endeavour to notify service users as promptly as possible. The results covered by this policy can be found in the documents below:

Telephoning limits Biochemistry

Telephoning limits Haematology