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Immunology and Protein Reference Unit

Someone reviewing an immunology test result

The Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit is a specialist service based at St George’s Hospital. It provides a comprehensive diagnostic service for immunology across the South West London Pathology network. The department hosts one of two Supraregional Assay Service Protein Reference Units

The Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit is a specialist service based at St George’s Hospital. It provides a comprehensive diagnostic service for immunology across the South West London Pathology network. The department hosts one of two Supraregional Assay Service Protein Reference Units in England and serves an extensive client base nationally and internationally, receiving samples from over 100 referring hospitals.

The Protein Reference Unit was established in 1971 under Professor J.R.Hobbs at Westminster Hospital, London. Professor Hobbs was an expert in the analysis of serum proteins, including immunoglobulins. After a brief relocation in 1992 to the Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford, the Protein Reference Unit settled at St George’s Hospital.

The Protein Reference Unit maintains its specialist interest and skills in protein analysis, particularly relating to immunoglobulins, including cryoglobulins and heavy chain disease investigations.

The wide and diverse UKAS-accredited repertoire of tests carried out by the Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit help to exclude, diagnose and monitor a variety of immunologically-based diseases including:

  • allergy
  • immune deficiency
  • hematological malignancy
  • autoimmune disease.

Expert advice is available from our Consultant Clinical Scientist team around appropriate investigation of clinical problems and the interpretation of results. This includes encouraging the most appropriate use of immunology tests and ensuring our service develops to meet changing clinical requirements.

in England UK and serves an extensive client base nationally and internationally, receiving samples from over 100 referring hospitals.

The Protein Reference Unit was established in 1971 under Professor J.R.Hobbs at Westminster Hospital, London. Professor Hobbs was an expert in the analysis of serum proteins, including immunoglobulins. After a brief relocation in 1992 to the Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford, the Protein Reference Unit settled at St George’s Hospital.

The Protein Reference Unit maintains its specialist interest and skills in protein analysis, particularly relating to immunoglobulins, including cryoglobulins and heavy chain disease investigations.

The wide and diverse UKAS-accredited repertoire of tests carried out by the Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit help to exclude, diagnose and monitor a variety of immunologically-based diseases including:

  • allergy
  • immune deficiency
  • hematological malignancy
  • autoimmune disease.

Expert advice is available from our Consultant Clinical Scientist team around appropriate investigation of clinical problems and the interpretation of results. This includes encouraging the most appropriate use of immunology tests and ensuring our service develops to meet changing clinical requirements.

Meet our team of consultants

Find our more about the Immunology team at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals

Contact details

Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit
South West London Pathology
St George’s Hospital
Tooting
London SW17 0QT

Clinical advice

020 8725 5106
ImmunologyLabSWLP@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Main laboratory

020 8725 0025
ImmunologyLabSWLP@stgeorges.nhs.uk.

SWLP Immunology Clinical Lead

Rachel Wheeler
020 8725 5106
rachel.wheeler@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Immunology Manager

Laura Kirsopp
020 8725 6182
laura.kirsopp@stgeorges.nhs.uk

Latest news

April 28, 2026

Incorrect Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) results issued between 27 December 2025 and 4 March 2026

On 4 March, South West London Pathology (SWLP) identified an issue with Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) test results from between 27 December 2025 to 4 March 2026. During this period, some results were issued that were falsely high (positive). All results that went out from 5 March onwards are correct. The FIT test looks for […]

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April 27, 2026

SWLP shortlisted for five IBMS awards

We are excited and proud to announce that teams across SWLP have been shortlisted for five IBMS awards, our highest number of shortlisted nominations ever. The shortlisted nominations are: Best Use of Innovation or Technology SWLP POCT team for the introduction of a troponin POCT solution in ED at Kingston Hospital Harvey’s Lab Tour of […]

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April 24, 2026

Cytology team celebrates 10-year milestone and national award shortlisting

An SWLP team that revolutionised one-stop cancer diagnostic clinics is celebrating a decade of service, and a prestigious national award nomination.

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April 22, 2026

SWLP’s Shiva Joshi ranked 2nd in global Andrology & Embryology EQA scheme

South West London Pathology is proud to celebrate a truly outstanding achievement by one of our own. Shiva Joshi, a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in our Blood Sciences department at Croydon Hospital, has been recognised as the 2nd best performer worldwide in the 2026 Andrology and Embryology External Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme. This remarkable result places […]

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