All Immunology services and tests are moving to the South West London Pathology (SWLP) Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit at St George’s Hospital, which will become the hub for immunology across south west London. Already one of the largest immunology services in the country, the team will be expanded further when immunology services and tests from Epsom and St Helier move to St George’s. There is expected to be little impact for those who order immunology tests in primary and secondary care, although some turnaround times for specific tests will be improved and more tests will be carried out in-house rather than being sent away.
Tests and services will be moved from St Helier Hospital to St George’s Hospital in a phased way over the coming year. Further information will be circulated as the work progresses.
The Immunology Laboratory and Protein Reference Unit is a specialist service which provides a comprehensive diagnostic service for immunology. The department hosts one of two Supraregional Assay Service Protein Reference Units in England UK and serves an extensive client base nationally and internationally, receiving samples from over 100 referring hospitals.
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.
If you have any questions or concerns about the transfer of immunology services, please email Dr. Rachel Wheeler, SWLP Clinical Lead for Immunology and Director of Protein Reference Unit) on rachel.wheeler@stgeorges.nhs.uk or Aimee Rhodes, Immunology Laboratory Manager on aimee.rhodes@stgeorges.nhs.uk.
