EXCELLING IN SCIENCE AND SERVICE
CELLULAR PATHOLOGY USER SURVEY FEEDBACK 2018
Microbiology User Survey Report
Microbiology Molecular Update
COBAS 6800
RD&E and North Bristol NHS Trust join forces to deliver cutting-edge genomics testing for patients
Update to Cervical Cytology Services – HPV Primary Screening Roll Out for Cornwall and Torbay Areas
Update to services provided by Molecular Genetics
Update on the qFIT Screening Service in the Peninsula
MOLECULAR GENETICS DEPARTMENT ARE RECRUITING
New Clinical Chemistry Advice & Guidance E-Referrals Service
Follow @Exeter_Lab
February 27th, 2019
Many thanks to those of you who took the time to complete the Cellular Pathology user survey in 2018
You said • More pathologists so more prompt results
• They appear to be under the greatest pressure in terms of staffing
• Consider using non paper forms to help reduce errors
• I would like to be able to access results via SystmOne for the RD&E
• Takes up to 3 weeks to give us a prostate biopsy result. This creates huge problems with our cancer pathway
• The number of patients for MDT discussion are capped. 30 patients only. This causes a delay in patient pathway.
We said • We are in the process of implementing a new IT system which will improve the reporting process and build efficiencies into our laboratory systems. Results will be produced electronically. We are also installing a ordering communication system for GPs so that tests can be requested and reports received electronically.
• We are working on expanding our team in order to continue to meet the requirements of our service users.
You said • Already very good (response to how might services be improved)
• Excellent service, but under-resourced, hence a long turnaround time for biopsies, which impacts on patient care
• Histopathology are working extremely effectively for the lung MDT a really outstanding service. Not only speed but excellent considered opinions.
• Speedy turnaround time. An excellent service
• The RDE Labs provide an excellent service on the whole & are always very polite & helpful when Clinicians ring for advice or email
We said • We are delighted that our users are positive about our service. We will continue to act on your feedback to ensure our service is continuously improved.
February 15th, 2019
Microbiology User Survey Report 2018
February 10th, 2019
We are delighted to inform our users that we have now taken delivery of and verified a random access Nucleic-Acid-Amplification-Test platform, called EliTech.
As of 4th February 2019, we will be performing NAATs on CSF for the following targets:
This will replace the current referred service in Bristol and will give much better turnaround times (currently 2-3 days, down to a next day result). We really hope this will have a good impact on patient care, allowing speedier diagnosis and decision making, and limit the amount of intravenous acyclovir currently being used whilst waiting for results.
Allied to this, using the same technology, we also now offer the following NAATs test on-site, again significantly improving turnaround times:
If anyone would like to know more, please contact Microbiology via the email service: rde-tr.Microconsultants@nhs.net
Dr Cressida Auckland
December 8th, 2018
Microbiology are pleased to announce the arrival of a new molecular machine – the COBAS 6800. This all-in-one automation is used for testing samples for chlamydia, GC, Hep C viral loads, HIV viral loads and Hep B viral loads
October 29th, 2018
A new South West Genomic Laboratory Hub has been announced as one of only seven hubs that will deliver genomic testing for patients with cancer or rare disease as part of a new national network.
The Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust will work in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust to provide potentially life-changing diagnosis and move towards a more personalised approach to treatment. The Exeter Genetics Laboratory is one of three designated providers of specialised endocrine tests for patients throughout England and the national centre for monogenic diabetes and hyperinsulinism testing. Our flagship rapid whole exome sequencing for patients with rare disease will be upgraded to whole genome sequencing.
Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, announced that from early 2019 whole genome sequencing will be made available to seriously ill children with a suspected genetic disorder and people with specific types of cancer. The work will build on the 100,000 Genomes Project that is sequencing the genomes of around 70,000 people (100,000 patient samples) by the end of 2018.
Professor Sian Ellard, Head of the Exeter Genetics Laboratory and Director of the South West NHS Genomic Medicine Centre, said: “We look forward to working with our colleagues in Bristol to provide cutting-edge genomic testing for patients throughout the South West and beyond. Now we are able to begin a true transformation that will support more personalised medicine for patients with cancer and rare diseases in the South West and beyond.
“It is very exciting to be a part of this – we are proud that our long standing expertise in genomics research and diagnostic services has been recognised.”
Dr Emma Kivuva, Lead for the Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service, said: “We are delighted that our excellent laboratory has been selected to form one of the seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs. This new genomic testing will mean many more people with rare conditions can receive a diagnosis and more quickly. This will enable patients and families to receive more accurate information and be offered appropriate choices about their care and treatment.”
Mr John McGrath, RD&E Consultant Urologist and Deputy Director of the South West Genomics Medicine Centre, said: “We know that individual patients as well as individual cancers can vary in how they respond to the conventional treatments that we offer. We have now begun a new era in healthcare where cancer treatments will increasingly be tailored to that specific patient.
“The goal is to ensure that each patient accesses the treatment that is most effective for them and, in some cases, actually avoid treatments that are not going to be effective in their own situation.”
Dr Eileen Roberts, Head of the Bristol Genetics Laboratory based at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “This means we will be supporting more personalised medicine for patients with cancer and rare diseases in the South West and beyond. Treatments will be more tailored and effective to each individual’s own disease profile. Also in some cases patients will be able to avoid aggressive treatments that may be of no benefit.”
October 1st, 2018
** HPV Primary Screening Roll Out Update for Cornwall and Torbay Areas **
A recent communication from NHS England on 19th September 2018 announced the early implementation of HPV Primary Screening for Cornwall and Torbay areas from mid-November 2018. This primary HPV testing will be carried out at the Exeter Cytology Laboratory.
For more information please see ‘HPV Primary Screening Roll Out for Cornwall and Torbay Areas‘
September 3rd, 2018
Please note: From October 2018 the National Genomic Test Directory will specify which genomic tests are commissioned by the NHS in England, the technology by which they are available, and the patients who will be eligible to access to a test. The final draft 2018/2019 National Genomic Test Directory for rare and inherited disorders and cancer can be accessed at https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories.
The Exeter Genetics Laboratory will continue to receive samples, perform genomic tests and dispatch DNA samples for specialist testing to the appropriate laboratory. We will issue further information about the future genomic testing arrangements as it becomes available.
August 15th, 2018
Hopefully you should have received your qFIT collection kits and many of you will have already sent samples back to the laboratory here in Exeter. To date we have received 480 samples and detected 67 positive results.
Some Key Learning Points to Date
Electronic Result Messaging
Although we are now confident all results are being transmitted to the DTS electronic Pathology messaging service, a large numbers of practices are still not receiving them into their practice system. To assist this process please consider the following –
E-mailed Results
Until we have received assurance from individual GP surgeries that you are receiving results correctly by electronic format, we will continue emailing all your qFIT results. All positive results are still being telephoned to the surgery.
August 13th, 2018
Band 3 Assistant Genetic Technologist and Administrative Assistant positions available
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for an Assistant Genetic Technologist and Administrative Assistant in our state-of-the-art facilities in the Department of Molecular Genetics providing a high quality, rapid diagnostics service.
These positions are full-time (37.5 hours/week) on 1-year fixed term contracts and the deadline for applications is 31st August 2018. For the Administrative Assistant role, two 20 hour per week posts may be considered.
Please see the RD&E Hospital jobs website links above for full details of the posts, contact details and application information.
June 27th, 2018
We are pleased to announce that the Duty Biochemist team at Exeter Clinical Laboratories are now able to offer non-urgent clinical advice and guidance using the new NHS e-Referral (e-RS) service (more information here: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-e-referral-service ).
You are more than welcome to continue contacting us by phone or by e-mail in the normal manner, if you need an immediate answer to a question or need to provide additional clinical information in support of a test request.
