Cytology laboratory services
The Cytology department at Derbyshire Pathology carries out cervical and non-gynaecological services.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 5pm
Please note, there is no out of hours service.
Services include:
Cervical Cytology
The Cytology department provides the cervical screening service for all the East Midlands region which includes Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South East Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
The laboratory has full UKAS accreditation.
The department operates a direct referral system for women who require further investigation as a result of their cervical screening test, and refers women to 18 colposcopy units across the region. MDT provision is provided to these colposcopy units by the team of consultant biomedical scientists and pathologists.
The department operates a computerised fail-safe system to ensure follow-up of all women who are referred to colposcopy.
Non-Gynae Cytology
The laboratory has full UKAS accreditation to provide Non-Gynae diagnostic Cytology.
This includes CSF specimens, a wide range of fine needle aspirations (FNA), endoscopic brushings and other exfoliative cytology specimens received from clinical directorates and general practitioners.
If samples over 48 hours old have not been refrigerated, this may affect the interpretation of results.
Inappropriate contents, leaking samples or damaged pots may also affect results.
Contact and find us
Location
Pathology, Floor 5
Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 8NE
Contact us
Telephone: 01332 788 233
(If you are a patient, please contact your sample taker for advice / information)
Opening times
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
Availability of clinical advice and interpretation
All enquiries should be made on 01332 788 233
This is an automated enquiry system and will direct you to the relevant individuals who can assist with clinical advice.
Request forms
Cervical Cytology
Please use only the pre populated and printed HMR 101 form from the Open Exeter system. It is the responsibility of the sender to complete all sections of the form accurately and clearly.
If Open Exeter is unavailable, please download and submit a cervical cytology request form [pdf] 11KB (opens in new window) >
Request forms and samples from patients that present a risk of infection from blood born viruses should be clearly labelled with yellow 'risk of infection' stickers.
Non-Gynae Cytology
Please use electronic requesting where possible or use a Histology (white) request form. Each specimen sent to the laboratory must be accompanied by the relevant request form.
It is vital that the form is completed legibly and as accurately and fully as possible. Failure to do so may lead to specimens being inappropriately dealt with or not being processed at all. Request forms and samples from patients that present a risk of infection from blood borne viruses should be clearly labelled with yellow ‘risk of Infection’ stickers.
| What needs to be included | What happens if not |
|---|---|
|
A minimum of 3 patient identifiers. |
Rejected sample You will need to attend the lab to identify samples. |
|
Clinician and location for report Cervical Cytology - Sample taker code |
Report not available Without the correct orginating source we can't allocate a destination for the report. In line with NHSCSP guidelines; any samples taken from 1 April 2019 onwards without a valid unique pin code on the request form, will be reported as inadequate if no abnormality is detected. The sample will then need to be repeated in no less than 3 months. |
| Complete forms fully and accurately |
Rejected sample or compromised diagnosis Include as much patient information as possible. Failure to provide information may lead to unhelpful or inaccurate diagnosis. |
|
Complete forms legibly |
Sample incorrectly registered Illegible handwriting will not be interpreted. May result in errors or delays to results. |
|
Indicate the appropriate tests if applicable. Use the correct carriers or sample bags. |
Samples may not receive correct examination Sample may not reach the correct destination. May result in errors or delays to results. |
Instructions for samples
Instructions for transportation of samples
Cervical Cytology
Transportation is via the pathology courier van system.
Non-Gynae Cytology
All specimens must be sent to the laboratory immediately. If there is any delay please store the specimen in a fridge until it can be sent to the laboratory.
Haematological CSF samples must be received in the Cytology department before 4.00pm.
How to submit samples
Cervical Cytology
Samples that are taken outside of the screening programme, e.g. under 25 year olds or early attenders, will be rejected. The interpretation of results may be affected by the following:
- brush left in sample pot
- incorrect sampling device
- insufficient fluid in sample container
- leaking or damaged sample pots on receipt in the laboratory
Non-Gynae Cytology
If samples over 48 hours old have not been refrigerated, this may affect the interpretation of results. Inappropriate containers, leaking samples or damaged pots may also affect results.
Turnaround times (TAT)
| Sample type | Typical sample procedure to result distribution TAT |
|---|---|
| Cervical Cytology | 98% within 14 days |
| Non-gynae Cytology | 90% within 10 working days |
| CSF Cytology | 90% within 5 working days |
Referral to other laboratories
Occasionally non-gynae samples require tests not available within the Pathology department and will need to be sent to other specialist centres.
| Sample/Test | Referral Centre | Frequency of referral |
|---|---|---|
| Pancreatobiliary cytology samples |
Histopathology department |
When consultant availability at Derby is limited |
| Eye pathology samples | Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Opthalmic pathology Hisopathology E-Floor Royal Hallamshire Hospital Glossop Road S10 2JF |
Always |