Pathology

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Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Cellular Pathology and Microbiology.

About our service

The Pathology Department sit within the Division of Family and Clinical Support Services within The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.

The Pathology Department provide a range of services, with laboratories located at Dewsbury and Pinderfields Hospitals, the services as listed below.

  • Dewsbury District Hospital

    • Blood Sciences​

    • Cellular Pathology

  • Pinderfields General Hospital

    • Blood Sciences

    • Microbiology​​

    • Point of Care

There are many areas within pathology, these are:

  • Clinical Biochemistry — measuring a wide range of analytes including renal/liver/cardiac/tumour and bone function tests.  These measurements help in detecting and diagnosing disease and in monitoring treatment.

  • Haematology — this encompasses clinical management of blood disorders, laboratory measurement of cellular components of blood, provision and proper use of transfusion products, and laboratory identification and clinical management of disturbances in haemostasis.

  • Blood Transfusion — this encompasses clinical management of blood disorders, laboratory measurement of cellular components of blood, provision and proper use of transfusion products, and laboratory identification and clinical management of disturbances in haemostasis.

  • Cellular Pathology — asection of Pathology concerned with the study of cells (Cytology) and the study of tissues (Histopathology).

  •  Microbiology — this helps diagnosis and treatment of infection and infectious disease.

 

Where can I have my bloods taken?

The Phlebotomy department is based on all three of our hospital sites - no prior appointment is required and can be accessed Monday-Friday, see below for opening times and restrictions.

  • Dewsbury District Hospital 8.30am to 4.30pm, located ground floor in the Ridings Building.

  • Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield 10.30am to 4.30pm, located Floor B.

  • Pontefract Hospital, 8.30am to 4.30pm, located Floor A.

Restrictions:  Please note that due to staff training and meetings, the departments will be closed on the following days each month.

  • Dewsbury District Hospital last Wednesday every month 8am to 11am.

  • Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield third Tuesday every month 8am to 11am.

  • Pontefract Hospital, third Thursday every month from 8am to 11am.

Fasting Blood Tests

Your GP may have requested you take a fasting blood test.  To ensure reliable and accurate test results, it is important that you follow these instructions carefully.

  • Please ensure that you have nothing to eat or drink (other than water) for 8-12 hours prior to presenting for the test. It is recommended that you fast for 8 hours for a ‘Fasting glucose’ and 10-12 hours for ‘cholesterol/lipid’ testing.

  • Do not fast for any longer than 12 hours, as this may affect your test.

  • Ensure that you drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

  • Smoking should be avoided.

  • Continue to take any prescribed medications, unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

Contact Phlebotomy

Contact Anticoagulation Department - for Warfarin queries.

Medical directory

The pathology department is where laboratory tests are completed. These play a critical unseen role that help with medical decisions, such as diagnosis and monitoring conditions/diseases.

View our A-Z of Pathology tests:

Medical tests