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Transferring pathology services to Midland Met

September 30, 2024

SWB and City biochemistry, blood transfusion and haematology laboratories transition to Midland Met.

In line with the phased move of patients to Midland Met, the pathology laboratories will also be transferring their services in a phased approach.

On Sunday, 6 October 2024 at 5am, Sandwell Hospital biochemistry, blood transfusion and haematology laboratory services will transfer its services to Midland Met.

  • The Sandwell laboratories will remain open until 5pm on 6 October as a contingency.  Please note, that after this time there will be no laboratory services for biochemistry, blood transfusion and haematology on the Sandwell site. The laboratories will be based at Midland Met.
  • The blood culture and rapid COVID PCR service for Sandwell and City will also transfer to Midland Met from this date.
  • Due to the distribution of resources across three sites, and to maintain the quality of service, add on tests to pathology requests will be limited during the patient transition of the Sandwell site to Midland Met.

On Sunday, 10 November at 5am, City Hospital biochemistry, blood transfusion and haematology laboratory services will transfer its services to Midland Met.  

  • The City laboratories will remain open until 5pm on 10 November as a contingency.  Please note that after this time there will be no laboratory services for biochemistry, blood transfusion and haematology on the City site. The laboratories will be based at Midland Met.

Biochemistry

The biochemistry service will be unable to accept add on tests between 4pm on Sunday, 6 October, until 9am on Monday, 7 October. If additional tests are required during this period, a new request will need to be sent to the lab on the site where the patient is.

Haematology

Throughout the patient transition the haematology department will be able to continue to process add on requests as normal, but it will be necessary to call the lab to alert them of the add on request to assure that it is processed in a timely fashion.

Cellular Pathology department

Cellular Pathology services are completely centralised at Black Country Pathology Services Hub, located at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton.

All samples taken for cellular pathology from Midland Met, City and Sandwell will be transported to the Black Country Pathology Service Hub Laboratory. These will be transported hourly from 8am and the last pick up will be at 5.30pm, Monday- Friday. On Saturday, the first pick up will be 8am and final pick up will be at 12pm.

  • Frozen section requests must be arranged with 24 hr notice to the hub.
  • To order formalin supplies for Sandwell/City/Midland Met please call 0121 507 3251.
  • Any abnormal or urgent results will be telephoned as normal.

For routine queries please contact:

  • Blood sciences call centre – 0121 507 5162.
  • Blood Transfusion – 0121 507 3110. Bleep number 5251.

During this transfer phase there may be a delay to the turnaround of results.  Your support and cooperation will be most appreciated.

All of these can be accessed at: Support and resources available (swbh.nhs.uk)