National accreditation for NNUH laboratory teams

Laboratory staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) are celebrating after receiving praise from national assessors.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) visited the Haematology, Chemistry and Microbiology teams to establish whether the laboratory is meeting globally recognised standards.

Following a number of visits by assessors, the teams were delighted to successfully complete the accreditation.

Nigel Roberts, Network Manager for the Eastern Pathology Alliance at NNUH, said the UKAS accreditation was down to the hard work of staff to provide the necessary paperwork and information for the assessors.

He added that the news gave assurance to patients that tests run by staff in the lab are accurate and reliable and are undertaken to a high level of technical competence.

He said: “This is a globally recognised standard that specifies requirements for quality and competence particular to medical laboratories. It is for use by medical laboratories in developing their quality management systems and assessing their competence.

The work of the laboratory staff is vital to the running of the hospital. The Department of Health has estimated that laboratory services contribute to 60 to 70% of clinical diagnoses. For many conditions, there is no substitute for laboratory tests. Doctors rely on the laboratory to help diagnose a wide range of conditions, and to help monitor the response to treatment.”

Dr Ngozi Elumogo, Clinical Director for Laboratory Medicine and Eastern Pathology Alliance, added: “We are delighted and proud to provide a county-wide pathology network service, Eastern Pathology Alliance.  This ensures high standards and equitable access to laboratory diagnosis and clinical advice for the benefit of all Norfolk patients, regardless of where they live.”

inside the Haematology lab – Izabele Pazusyte