Pathology: What you need to know
October 9, 2024
Thank you for your patience whilst we iron out a few teething problems around pathology sample logistics following the opening of Midland Met on Sunday.
The following information aims to address some of the issues that we have seen over the last couple of days.
Ward staff at Midland Met – POD system
If you are in ED or Acute Assessment Areas on level 2, the number on the pod should be 0101.
Other areas should use 0808 or 3434.
For immediate life threatening or critical test, then use 0101.
Sample drop offs and community bloods
Due to the relocation of the City and Sandwell pathology labs, some samples will need to be transferred to be processed at Midland Met.
Samples that will need to transfer between sites are as follows:
- Blood cultures from both City and Sandwell Health Campuses will need to be transferred to Midland Met
- Outpatient pathology samples from Sandwell will need to be transferred to Midland Met
- City will remain as it is now until the move to MMUH on Sunday 10 November – we will update any changes in the lead up to this move
Samples will be collected seven days a week at both sites by the logistics service:
Monday to Friday – 7.45am hourly until 7.45pm
Saturday to Sunday – 7.45am hourly until 2.45pm
Community Bloods
There are drop off points for community bloods at Midland Met, Sandwell, and City. These will be collected on an hourly basis and transported to the lab at Midland Met. Sample collection from the community sites remains unchanged.
Urgent community samples will need to be delivered into the drop box in the Emergency Department at Midland Met.
Where staff need to wait for the result (i.e. INR) these can be dropped off at the Pathology Sample Reception on Level 4 at Midland Met.
Routine samples can be taken to one of two locations:
Sandwell: Samples can continue to be dropped off to the drop box in Sandwell Pathology reception until 7pm. Anything after 7pm will need to go to the drop box in ED at Midland Met.
City Pathology Lab Sample Reception: This is until 10 November – following this there will be a drop off point in Sheldon Block.
Ordering consumables
Pathology consumables are ordered via the logistics services.
How do I get my consumables order?
Departments should complete the form here on an SWBH device.
If you have a problem with this form, please email swbh.logistics.management@nhs.net
When will I get my order?
Logistics will deliver the consumables to your department the next day at MMUH or the next working day at Sandwell.
When do I need to complete my order form?
Orders placed for MMUH before 6pm 7 days a week will be delivered the next day. At Sandwell, orders placed before 6pm Monday – Friday will be delivered the next working day. Orders placed after 6pm will be delivered the day after the following day at MMUH or following working day at Sandwell.
Please note that Formalin could be subject to an additional delay.
Any abnormal or urgent results will be telephoned as normal.
For routine queries please contact:
Blood sciences – 0121 507 5162
Blood Transfusion – 0121 507 3110 Bleep number 5251
During this transfer phase please be advised that there may be a delay to the turnaround of results.
Your support and cooperation will be most appreciated.