Stockport Pathology

We are a highly skilled team responsible for managing various aspects of healthcare administration. Our team includes a Clinical Director, Pathology Operational Lead, Pathology Quality Manager, Mortuary Team Leader, Pathology IT Team, and 6 specialist Medical Secretaries.

Our goal is to provide the highest quality service in line with the objectives of the Trust, the Directorate of Pathology, and our department. We prioritize the needs and requirements of our users, as outlined in our Quality Policy.
To meet these needs and requirements, we:

• Operate a Quality Management System that integrates our organization, procedures, processes, and resources.
• Set quality objectives and continuously strive for improvement.
• Ensure that all our staff members are familiar with the quality policy and manual to ensure user satisfaction.
• Prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of our entire staff. We also treat visitors to our department with dignity, respect, and ensure their safety.
• Comply with relevant environmental legislation.
• Uphold professional values and commit to good professional practice and conduct.
• Provide expertise and leadership to ensure the quality of all analytical tests, whether conducted in-house or at point of care.
• Recruit, train, develop, and retain staff at all levels to deliver an effective service to our users.
• Properly procure and maintain equipment and other resources required for our service provision.
• Collect, transport, and handle all specimens in a manner that ensures accurate laboratory examinations.
• Use examination procedures that guarantee the highest achievable quality for all tests performed.
• Report examination results in a timely, confidential, accurate, and clinically useful manner.

We participate in accreditation programs to ensure high standards in our departments. Our accreditation is based on ISO 15189:2012, and the scope of our accreditation can be found on the UKAS website. We undergo annual assessments by UKAS to maintain our accreditation status.

Specific Compliance:

• The Blood Transfusion Department complies with the regulations set by the MHRA (Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency).
• Our Pathology department adheres to the requirements of the HTA (Human Tissue Act).
• Microbiology maintains compliance with the guidelines set by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).

NHSCSP Participation:

• We actively participate in the NHSCSP (NHS Cervical Screening Programme) and are currently compliant with its standards.

ANNBS Participation:

• We actively participate in the ANNBS(Antenatal Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle cell and Thalassaemia"s) and are currently compliant with its standards.

External Quality

All laboratory departments participate in External Quality Assurance schemes. Samples are sent from a reference laboratory for examination, and we compare our performance nationally with other laboratories in the scheme and with our own previous work. This ensures consistent and reliable results that are comparable to those obtained by other laboratories over time.

Internal Quality

Regular Internal Quality Control (IQC) checks are performed to ensure the reliability of results. IQC is constantly reviewed to maintain accuracy and reliability.

Administration

• We provide a high-quality and professional service to maintain the ISO15189:2012 standard.
• Medical secretaries can be contacted during working hours (9am - 5pm) via email and telephone.
• Consultant clinical advice is available through the medical secretaries, ensuring a connection with the consultants. Urgent matters will be addressed promptly.
• Telephone queries will be answered within 5 rings, with courteous and efficient assistance or 8 rings when diverted to answer phone. Specialist secretaries dedicated to specific consultants can handle different types of enquiries.
• All work will be processed promptly, including dictations within 3 days, email responses within 24 hours, Histology micros within 6 hours, and Histology macros within 24 hours.
• Quality Indicators are measured monthly to assess performance against preset service standards.
• Clinic bookings are made within 10 weeks.
• Paper reports, when necessary, are promptly returned to the requesting location.
• All post is ready for collection by 2.45 pm.
• Monthly tours of the Pathology Department can be arranged by contacting Margaret Woolley at 0161 419 4695.

You can contact us regarding any aspect of the service: your concerns, your appreciation and your views will be welcomed.

Administration

Medical Secretaries