The laboratory consists of two sections, General Haematology and Special Haematology.
General Haematology provides a comprehensive screening and diagnostic service using a range of state-of-the art technologies and manual laboratory procedures. The laboratory provides FBC investigations, blood cell morphology, haematinic analysis and haemoglobinopathy assessment. Routine haematology services are also provided by department staff located in rapid response laboratories on both sites. These laboratories provide rapid analysis of patient specimens for basic parameters of the full test repertoire.
The clinical leads in each area are involved in day-to-day diagnosis, being responsible not only for clinical advice but also analysis of difficult blood cell morphology, and provide bone marrow aspirate and trephine assessment. It is important to note that these services are linked to the clinical provision of Haematology services within GSTFT. There is a thriving anaemia clinic with specialist clinics for all types of haematological disease from myeloproliferative disorders to multiple myeloma.
The Scientific Lead of Special Haematology is Dr Yvonne Daniel. The section includes a comprehensive immunophenotyping service provided by dedicated staff in the St Thomas' Core Laboratory. The haemoglobinopathy section is an established reference service and utilises both proteomic and molecular techniques to provide a rapid and complete haemoglobinopathy diagnosis.
