Pathology

The Pathology Directorate, based at Noble’s Hospital, offers an island-wide comprehensive diagnostic service to the hospitals, Primary Care, Community and the Department of Public Health. The Directorate aims to provide a fast, accessible, quality assured and cost effective service focused on the clinical needs of the patient.

The UK Care Quality Commission has stated that over 70% of all clinical diagnosis is dependent on results produced from Pathology.

The aim of the service is to provide, and maintain, a 24 hour, 365 days per annum facility. The established Pathology provision is subject to ever increasing demand with many newer molecular techniques being required from our users.

The Pathology Department, located centrally in the hospital, consists of the following diagnostic laboratories: Blood Transfusion, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Histopathology/Cytology, Immunoserology and Microbiology as well as managing Mortuary and Blood Donor services for the Island.

The following services are located within the department.

Hospital Blood Transfusion: This department is responsible for the issue of human blood and blood products to the hospitals of the Isle of Man. It undertakes blood grouping and antibody tests to ensure compatibility. The department ensures that the blood is issued and used in accordance with national policies.

Isle of Man Blood Transfusion Service: This service organises blood donor sessions and undertakes the processing and safety testing of donated blood units, in accordance with international quality standards.

Clinical Chemistry: This department is responsible for the biochemical analysis of blood and body fluids to diagnose diseases which alter the body’s chemistry.

Haematology: This department is responsible for the analysis of the cellular components of blood to diagnose blood disorders, such as anaemia or leukaemia. It also undertakes analysis of the blood clotting system, to diagnose conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, coagulopathies and to monitor patients on anticoagulation therapies. Clinical Haematology is a branch of medicine in its own right.

Histopathology: This department is led by a Consultant Histopathologist. Histopathology undertakes the detection and characterisation of diseases by the detailed examination of tissue, using various staining and immunological techniques. In addition, the cervical screening programme is managed by this department.

Immunoserology: This department is responsible for the diagnosis of infectious disease by the detection of antibody and antigen in blood. It screens all blood donated to the IOM Blood Transfusion Service for infectious agents. In addition, this department provides a diagnostic service for allergy and immunological diseases.

Microbiology: This department is led by a Consultant Microbiologist. The department is responsible for the diagnosis of infection by the detection, identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing of micro-organisms from patient samples, such as urine, sputum, faeces and swabs. The department works very closely with Infection Prevention and Control and is also responsible for COVID testing on the island.

Mortuary: Located in the East Wing of the hospital is the Mortuary. The Directorate manages the hospital mortuary, which provides a service to the hospitals and the island community as well as operating the Relative’s Support Services. In addition, Coroner’s post mortem examinations are undertaken in this facility.

Pathology IT services: The Pathology department is highly dependent on Information Technology for its operation. The IT section ensures that a resilient and effective service is provided to all users.

Pathology Office: This department is responsible for the production of all Histopathology reports for the Consultant Histopathologist. In addition, the department provides all data entry for the Cervical Cytology service as well as office functions for all the other departments within the directorate, blood donor services and cancer registries.

Pathology Reception: This department is responsible for the efficient and effective reception, checking and distribution of all samples received as well as organising the posting of samples to UK reference laboratories.

The entrance to Pathology and Specimen Reception is situated on the ground floor of Noble’s Hospital near the hospital atrium.

Pathology Manager
Mr Stephen Doyle		650642
Consultant Pathologists
Dr Rizwan Khan	Medical Microbiology & Director of Infection Prevention & Control	650622 (or via switchboard)
Dr Ervine Long	Histopathology, Cytology	650300
Clinical Director
Dr Adrian Dashfield		651424

Pathology Departmental Contacts

Department	Telephone	Department Manager	Telephone
Blood Transfusion	650630	Andy Quirk	650662
Chemical Pathology	650659/60	Charlie Houston	650661
Cervical Cytology	650638	John Nippress	650654
Haematology	650626/5	Michael Kinnish	650629
Histology/Cytology	650646	John Nippress	650654
Immunology/Serology	650623	Rebbeca Shields	650652
Pathology IT Manager	650662	Iain Taylor	650662
Microbiology	650655	Rebbeca Shields	650652
Mortuary	650617/8	Ian Hughes	650617
Pathology Office	650300	Cathie Robinson	650621
Specimen Reception	650639	Iain Taylor	650662
Transfusion Practitioner Nurse	650988	Jo Oldfield	650988
Blood Donor Lead Nurse	650620	Michelle Jones	650620

Normal Working Hours:

Monday - Friday 8.45am - 5.15pm

Saturday - Sunday 9am - 5pm (Apart from Histology/Cytology)

All specimens for routine blood tests mustbe received in the laboratory before 4.30pm each day (including weekends); routine specimens received after this time may not be examined until the next working day.

Samples for Microbiology must be in the laboratory before 4pm (12pm Saturday and Sunday); urgent samples can be received until 4.30pm Monday to Friday and until 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Microbiology must be contacted directly on +44 1624 650653/5 for such samples.

Although part of Patient Safety and Quality, Infection Control Offices are based in Pathology. Tel: 650651.

Phlebotomy Service (managed by Scheduled Care)

Inpatient Phlebotomy Service

This covers all wards except ITU, HDU, Children’s Ward and NNU.

It operates:

Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 12pm

All Pathology requests should be produced using the hospital’s ICE Order-Comms system, and those for the morning phlebotomy service must be created the previous evening or before the phlebotomy round commences. For routine requests after phlebotomy rounds, blood specimens must be taken and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection by medical or nursing teams.

Pathology requests must be made by, or on authority of, medical staff.

Pathology receives over 1000 samples in a typical working day, correct identification of urgent samples helps rapidly identify such work.

Outpatient phlebotomy service

Outpatient phlebotomy service (Noble’s Blood Clinic) is managed by Scheduled Care and operates an appointment only blood collection service.

Opening times:

Noble’s Hospital

Telephone: +44 1624 650415

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm;

Friday: 8:30am - 1pm

Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (drop in only):

Monday - Friday: 8am - 10am