Pathology laboratory services

Pathology services laboratories are at the Mayday Road entrance of the Woodcroft wing.

Histopathology, cytology, central specimen reception, microbiology, blood transfusion and the blood sciences comprising biochemistry and haematology all form the division of pathology.
All laboratories offer a routine service Monday to Friday from 08:30-17:00. 

In addition, Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry offer a routine service from 08:00 - 20:00.

A 24 hour emergency service is offered by Haematology, Blood transfusion, Clinical Biochemistry and Microbiology.

Pathology central reception telephone routine hours: 020 8401 3025.

A 24 hour combined emergency service is offered by the laboratory, accompanied by 24 hour advice from the Biomedical and Clinical staff as required.

The service includes: 

• haematology including full blood counts, peripheral blood and bone marrow film analysis
• coagulation
• haematinics and haemoglobinopathy investigations
• pre-transfusion testing and antenatal screening service, including ABO and RhD typing
• antibody screen and identification
• compatibility testing
• issuing single donor cellular and plasma products and batched blood products

Consultant Head of Department: Dr Nnenna Osuji

Lead Biomedical Scientist: Bev Crane

Technical Lead: Sue Cookson

Blood Transfusion Practitioner: Lynn Abbott 

The Clinical Haematology Service

A clinical haematology service has been available in Croydon since 1984.

It is an adult haematology service that provides inpatient, outpatient and day case facilities.  The service is provided by a dedicated medical and nursing team and is supported by a modern haematology laboratory.

There is special expertise in haemato-oncology (blood cancers) and haemoglobinopathies particularly sickle cell disease

The haemato-oncology service is fully integrated in the South West London Cancer Network and benefits from a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting with the haematologists at the Royal Marsden Hospital.  The team carry out a full range of diagnostic tests and all levels of chemotherapy are undertaken except bone marrow transplantation. 

The haemoglobinopathy service is a seamless inpatient, outpatient and community based service which is supported by the Croydon Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre based in Whitehorse Road as well as a team of specialist nurses.  Croydon has also joined the newly formed South London Haemoglobinopathy Network

The Lifeblood Suite is a dedicated haematology day care unit which is open from 0800 until 1700 Monday to Fridays.  This unit provides specialist advice, investigations and treatments such as intravenous therapy, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, venesections and assessment of haematology patients on an outpatient basis.

Meet the Team

• Dr H S Lumley - consultant
• Dr S Appiah-Cubi - consultant
• Dr J A Maitland – consultant
• Dr N C Osuji - consultant
• Jackie Green – nurse consultant
• Alison Fernando – clinical nurse specialist
• Yuanjie Li – haematology nurse
• Sherill Gregory – haemoglobinopathy clinical nurse specialist and manager
• Linda Sawyerr – haemoglobinopathy clinical nurse specialist
• Rhonda Foster – haemoglobinopathy clinical nurse specialist
• Valerie Adamson – medical secretary

Location

Clinics are held in the main outpatients department, 1st Floor, London Wing

Lifeblood Suite (haematology day unit), Ground Floor, London Wing

Croydon Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Centre, 316-320 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, CR0 2LE

General enquiries:

Tel: 020 8401 3026

Fax: 020 8401 3126

Lifeblood Suite: 020 8401 3670

Croydon Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Centre 020 8251 7229

The department provides a 24 hour microbiology service for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Within the laboratory there are sections dealing with general bacteriology, faecal parasitology, mycology, TB, antibiotic level monitoring, viral serology and some other virology procedures. The department also has an Infection Control Team.

Consultant Head of Department: Dr Mala Sahathevan

Consultant Lead of the Infection Control Team: Dr Mary Twagira

Lead Biomedical Scientist: Eric Cowie 

The Cytology service assists in the diagnosis of cancers, especially cervical cancer. The department provides a gynaecological Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) and non-gynaecological service to Croydon University Hospital and to Croydon Primary Care Trust (PCT). Cervical screening result and action codes are transferred electronically to Croydon PCT to ensure prompt, appropriate follow up is achieved.

Consultant Head of Department: Dr Hari Krishnan

Clinical Scientist/Department Manager: Shu Hsuen Pai

Comprises of Histology and the Mortuary departments.

The service provided by the histology department, includes frozen sections and a large repertoire of special stains and immunocytochemistry, to Croydon University Hospital and Croydon Primary Care Trust. The service also includes some immunocytochemistry and frozen sections to Shirley Oaks Hospital.
The Mortuary has been assessed and has successfully achieved the Human Tissue Act (HTA) Licence It provides body storage together with adult post mortem service for the Hospital.

Consultant Head of Department: Dr Hari Krishnan

Lead Biomedical Scientist: Elizabeth Tsangaraki

Mortuary Manager is Senior Anatomical Pathology Technician: Lee Dobinson

The Clinical Biochemistry department provides a comprehensive biochemistry service including routine biochemistry profiles, endocrinology and other immuno-assay testing along with protein separation techniques and is responsible for the point-of-care testing (POCT) in the hospital. There is a wide network of referral laboratories to which samples are sent if required. A 24 hour combined emergency service is offered by the laboratory accompanied by 24 hour advice from the Biomedical and Clinical staff as required.

Consultant Head of Department/Pathology Clinical Lead: Dr. Anne Tarn

Consultant Clinical Biochemist: Dr. Les Perry

Lead Biomedical Scientist: Frederick Mpambire