Central Laboratory

The Biochemistry Department utilise their skills to diagnose and monitor disease through identifying changes in the chemical composition of blood and urine. Tests are used to monitor kidney and liver function, review nutritional status, and assess blood, drug and glucose levels. This is a highly automated discipline with a key focus on accuracy and precision of results.

The Blood Bank performs a number of key tests, most notably blood grouping and antibody screening during pregnancy. In addition to this, a major role of the Blood Bank is to provide compatible blood for transfusions. The Blood Bank also provides blood products for patients with bleeding disorders and is responsible for storing blood collected from patients undergoing major surgery where the patient's doctor has deemed it necessary. 

The Cytology Department is a specialist discipline focusing on the evaluation of cellular material for the diagnosis and prevention of cancer. The majority of specimens comprise cervical/vaginal samples which are commonly known as Pap smears. These smears are evaluated for the presence of lesions which may be precursors to cancer. Other specimens which can be examined include sputum, urine, body fluids and fine needle aspirates from a variety of sites including the breast and thyroid.

The Endocrinology Department utilises highly sophisticated techniques to examine blood and urine specimens.  This discipline focuses primarily on the assessment of hormone levels and the way in which these indicate a range of health issues including infertility.

Utilising state-of-the-art blood analysers to produce accurate and consistent results, the Haematology Department examines blood cells and blood components to aid in the investigation of conditions such as anaemia, leukaemia and lymphoma. This also includes the study of blood coagulation, measuring the ability of blood to clot, and managing the treatment of patients with clotting disorders. 

Many known diseases and disorders are a result of our genetic make up and with advances in DNA technology their identification is becoming increasingly possible. Using chromosomes or DNA extracted from specimens such as blood cells or amniotic fluid, the Genetics Department can identify genetic disorders. This information assists not only in identifying diseases such as haemochromatosis but also helps manage conditions like leukaemia.

The Infectious Diseases and Immunology Department is made up of two sub departments - Immunology and Microbiology - who work to assist in the diagnosis of suspected infections.

The Immunology Department is responsible for all testing of clinical immunology, allergies, microbial serology, molecular diagnostics and Hepatitis. They have two areas of expertise - investigating suspected infections and investigating autoimmune diseases. Most of the investigations are done on blood samples but other specimens such as urine can be tested.

The Microbiology Department detects bacterial, fungal and other parasitic infections responsible for infectious disease. Samples include urine, faeces, blood, and swab samples collected from infected sites. The role of the microbiology unit is not only for the diagnosis of infectious organisms but also testing to identify the most appropriate treatment to fight the infection.

Histopathology is the branch of pathology that deals with the examination of human tissue. The tissue under examination is biopsy material taken from a patient to detect and diagnose disease or abnormalities and examine disease progression including the response to treatment or the lack of response. Specialist Pathologists perform examinations on tissues such as skin, breast, gastrointestinal, lung and lymphoid systems.