**Please check the ‘Cellular Pathology News’ page for the introduction of new tests and any updates.**
The Cellular Pathology laboratory service at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital supports the Trust’s Cancer Centre status for most tumour sites. Most major aspects of pathology are undertaken with the exception of Neuropathology, Bone Tumour Pathology and Paediatric Pathology.
The annual workload of the department is approximately 30,000 histopathology requests, 4,000 diagnostic cytology requests and 700 autopsies. The department is well supported by the South West Genomic Hub. The department plays a key role in patient care and supports a wide range of Multidiscipline Meetings (MDMs) which are held on a regular basis.
The Cellular Pathology Department is well staffed in all areas with experienced biomedical scientists involved in diagnostic work, immunohistochemistry and some molecular work. The department is a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS 8123) accredited medical laboratory to ISO 15189: 2012 and participates in all relevant External Quality Assurance Schemes. Any tests not accredited or awaiting accreditation will have this stated on the report. The laboratory is accredited for the training of Medical and Scientific staff.
For the full range of UKAS accredited cellular pathology activities please use link: Exeter Cellular Pathology UKAS accredited services
Although it is not generally helpful to specify minimum retesting intervals for the majority of cellular pathology specimens, which tend to be unique to a particular clinical episode, the areas where repeat sampling/re-biopsy or laboratory testing could be considered are set out in the document: National minimum retesting intervals in pathology: A final report detailing consensus recommendations for minimum retesting intervals for use in pathology.
It is the responsibility of clinical teams to ensure that informed patient consent has been sought prior to taking the specimen or sample. The laboratory will assume that the correct informed consent procedure has been followed for all specimens /samples received.
The laboratory would encourage users to engage in demand optimisation, designed both to reduce the number of unnecessary tests and to help ensure that appropriate tests are used.
Following the implementation of Epic in October 2020 the department now operates a paperless service, this includes how results are issued. For details please see our results page.
The laboratory does not accept oral requests for examinations. All requests must be via EPIC, GPOCS or request form.
Please note: If acceptance criteria are not met, specimens will be returned to their point of origin or a request for a repeat specimen requested.
Please ensure request form is printed off and completed IN FULL before sending with labelled specimen – please see specimen labelling procedure.
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